-
- Wanted
-
- Do
you have a passion for antiques and collectibles - and writing?
-
- The
Wayback Times invites you to submit freelance articles for use
in print and on our new web site.
-
- E-mail
your text submissions
to
The Wayback Times.
-
- Articles
published in The Wayback Times since 1995 have covered a wide
range of interests, from Golliwoggs to toy VW collecting, and
from collecting insulators to hunting old books.
-
- Most
authors of our online selection of articles have included their
e-mail addresses and they are always delighted to hear from other
collectors.
|
|
|
- Ad Rates / Articles
/ Classified Ads / Editorial
/ Home / Links
/ Showtime
-
- Wayback Wheels -
Vintage Car Talk
-
- Wayback Wheels
- By Aaron Neilly
Well, here I am, typing the first ever Wayback Wheels column.
-
- My parents started their antique
business when I was 12 and I have been constantly telling myself
since then that I dislike antiques.This probably branched from
having to help them carry furniture all over the countryside.
However, in the past few years, I've found myself wandering into
antique stores and looking at nearly everything with some sort
of interest. I often end up purchasing something. This “something”
is frequently an item I really don't need, and it's usually small
and has four wheels.
-
- Yes, I am a certified car nut.
Die cast, plastic, the real thing ... whatever. I am obsessed;
which is the reason I decided to write this column. My intent
is to write articles about more obscure cars, but (to completely
contradict that fact) this edition will be about the most-produced-without-any-major-changes-to-its-design
(phew) automobile in the world; the Volkswagen Beetle.
-
- It just happens to be my favourite
car, and it is also in honour of Jay Telfer, another VW enthusiast,
whose toy VW collection rivals the size of my own. Definitely
obsessive ... but there is nothing wrong with that!
-
- In 1934, a selection of European
automakers were invited by Hitler to design a prototype of the
“People’s Car.” The design rules outlined for
this car were that it should be rear engined, air cooled, seat
five people, cruise at 60 miles an hour all day, cost only 1,000
marks and resemble the shape of a Beetle, as people had to look
at nature for streamlining.”
-
- Several manufacturers submitted
a design, including Mercedes Benz, NSU, Tatra, and a man named
Ferdinand Porsche (who held a patent for an invention called
the Torsion Bar, and had created a few automotive designs).
-
- In 1935, it was announced at
the Berlin Auto Show that Mr. Porsche would be designing the
Volkswagen. The car was dubbed the “KDF (Kraft durch Freude)
wagen, or “Strength Through Joy" car. This upset Porsche,
as he was not a member of the Nazi party, and he didn't support
Hitler's use of propaganda when advertising the car.
-
 By
1938, 30 prototypes closely resembling the VW we know (and many
of us love) were produced for testing purposes and driven by
officers of Germany’s SS. In 1939, after the “bugs”
in the bug were worked out, a groundbreaking ceremony was held
in the town of Wolfsburg for what would become the largest automobile
manufacturing facility in the world.
-
- The plant was 70% destroyed
during WWII and taken over by the British Army. They decided
to continue production as they still needed light transport vehicles.
The British tried to put control of the factory in capable hands.
This included the Ford motor company who turned it down, not
realizing the potential and thinking it might be a waste of money.
(A waste of money which eventually overtook the Model T’s
position as the most produced car of all time).
-
- Finally, in 1949, the British
government turned the reigns over to the German government, which
appointed Heinrich Nordhoff as the senior executive of the company
… a very wise move.
-
- After 1949, production at Volkswagen
steadily increased. Nordhoff's experience and knowledge proved
invaluable for the company. Volkswagens were being exported to
neighbouring European countries, and as early as 1950, VW began
producing Beetles in South Africa (they were now known as Beetles).
As well, Volkswagen commissioned an old German coach building
company, Karmann, to build their Beetle convertibles. Each and
every convertible Beetle was completed by Karmann: hence the
special badges on VW convertibles.
-
- A few Volkswagens were imported
into the United States in 1949 by Ben Pon, but these didn't successfully
penetrate the US automobile market.
-
- The Hoffmann company of New
York, which imported Beetles in the early 1950's, abandoned Volkswagen
and imported Porsches instead. Volkswagen did not sell many cars
in the United States until later in the mid-1950's.
-
- In 1951, Volkswagen began to
export a deluxe version of the beetle. There was already a "standard"
Beetle, which was only available in a dull gray color. These
standard Beetles were very plain; they lacked synchromesh transmissions,
chrome and other special options that one might expect to have
in cars at that time. These deluxe cars had more appeal with
chrome bumpers, synchronized gears, and a selection of paint
options other than gray.
-
- By 1955, a million Beetles had
sold, and in 1972 the Beetle surpassed the Ford Model T as the
most produced automobile in the world. Sales climbed steadily
until the mid 1970’s, when low priced Japanese cars with
liquid cooled engines (and heat) started selling in North America.
-
 As
you might recall, a VW Beetle was actually the star of a movie
in 1968. Herbie was a white 1963 Deluxe Sedan, with red, white
and blue racing stripes, adorned with a large number “53.”
I doubt there will ever be a car as famous. Disney’s Herbie:
The Love Bug raced away with the hearts of many, and it turned
out to be the top grossing film of 1968. This led to five sequels,
as well as a TV series. Volkswagen even introduced a limited
edition Beetle in 1974 called the Love Bug.
-
- As far as practical classic
cars are concerned, the Bug probably takes the cake. They are
about as complicated to work on as a Briggs & Stratton lawnmower,
and even if the unthinkable happens, the engine can be removed
in half an hour by an average backyard mechanic with basic tools.
Parts are readily available from hundreds of suppliers at reasonable
cost, and they are fairly reliable, given the age of the design.
-
- Although they are fantastic
in the snow, Beetles don't make a good winter car these days
because they absolutely love to rust, and have a mediocre heating
system at best. (Remember … no coolant). VW offered an auxiliary
gasoline powered heater, which was warm, but also filled your
car with carbon monoxide fumes if the exhaust port became clogged
with snow. These also had a tendency to catch fire, for the ultimate
heating experience.
-
- Like any collectible or antique,
Beetle prices can vary enormously, depending on model/year/condition
etc. A 70’s Beetle sedan in good shape can sell for $3,000
to $10,000. A convertible of the same era is valued at $5,000-$20,000,
depending on its options, condition, if it's a special edition
and other determining factors. Earlier models, as well as special
models such as the “Hebmuller” Cabriolet, are worth
substantially higher amounts due to rarity
-
- Next issue: An American car that was incredibly
ahead of its time: The Packard.
-
- Wayback Wheels archives
-
-
-
-
- Return to
top of page
-
- This Is Livin' Publishing
© 2008
- 581 8th Line West, RR1
Hastings, ON, K0L 1Y0
- Phone/Fax: 705-696-1833
-
- webmaster
|
|
|