Volkswagen Beetle

Few cars have achieved the iconic status of Volkswagen's classic and much-loved Beetle - yet its origins are intertwined with the dark days of Nazism. This book looks at those origins, at the marque's initial post-war rescue by the British and the effect of early VW Director General Heinz Nordhoff's forward-looking desire to perfect one model rather than spread the company's talent over a range of designs, at the impact of radical-minded advertising campaigns and at the Beetle's never-to-be-beaten production record for a single model of nearly 22 million cars. Bringing the reader right up to the present day, marque expert Richard A. Copping recounts the Beetle's story in a lively and authoritative manner guaranteed to delight devotee and casual browser alike.

Lifelong Volkswagen enthusiast Richard A. Copping has written well over twenty books covering a variety of models, and regularly contributes articles to a number of magazines. He also wrote VW Camper and Microbus for Shire.

Introduction A Car for the Masses: 1933-45 A British Volkswagen: 1945-8 The 'King of Wolfsburg': 1948-68 Poor Management and New Beetles: 1968-78 The Lasting Legacy: 1978-2003 Further Reading Places to Visit Index