Volkswagen history

Today VW is one of the biggest car manufacturers inand a few demonstrational cars of the model VW39
Europe. However this was not like that from thecame to the world.
beginning.That was made just to point out that the factory is
The word "volkswagen" literally means "people's car"working and to show what the future cars would look
and this was the whole idea behind it. From thelike. These models came with a difference - the front
beginning VW tried to make a car that is simplehinged doors. When V38s models were finally
enough so that the average people could afford it.introduced Hitler abruptly changed the name to KdF
It was not exactly a new idea. Before 1930's thereWagen. KdF stayed for "Kraft durch Freude" or
have been many attempts to create a simple car"Strength through Joy". That made Porsche pretty
model. The problem however was that no matter howupset because he was not a member of the Nazi
simple the car was made it still ended up costing moreparty and the use of propaganda of this kind was not
than the yearly wage of a normal worker.his understanding of advertisement.
History tells that while many affords was made fromSpecial stamps were made by the government. They
VW to create the perfect worker class car a newwere sold to people and on theory if someone got
company was created. In 1930 Ferdinand Porsche200 stamps they could immediately be changed with a
made his company. Right after the creation PorscheKdF Wagen. That however was not meant to be and
patented a pretty complex suspension system. In thisthe model didn't proceed further. In fact it stayed only
system the transversely mounted torsion bars areas a prototype.
connected to two trailing arms on each side. ThatMany people made it to court seeking some
made the whole model very light. In fact it was lightercompensation because of the stamps they had which
than every common suspension type.was not going to be redeemed with a car. During that
In 1931 another company asked Porsche if they couldtime the Type 82 was on the way. It was a simple
make a model close to the last one for them. The 2military vehicle. It practically used the parts from KdF
door sedan was made as a result of this project. ItWagen and its flat-sided body and increased ground
was very similar to Beetle and it had the suitability thatclearance were some of the few differences.
was required.During WWII Type 128 and Type 166 were created.
The company who bought the model is calledThe last was powered by a 25 hp engine. There were
Zundapp and right after they bought the sedan modelover 50 000 cars produced of the Type 82 and only
they wanted to put 1.2 liter radial engine from one ofless than 16 000 of the Schwimmwagen (Type 166).
their own motorcycles. That didn't happen and this wasAfter the war the KdF Wagen factory was taken
the end of the line.over by the British army. Under the leadership of Major
In 1933 NSU purchased a design from Porsche. It wasIvan Hirsts over 2000 cars were made. Most of these
known by the name Type 32. This new model wascars were made by spare parts left by the old
even closer to the upcoming KdF Wagen than itsmanufacturing process.
predecessor Type 12. It was pretty close to TatraAfter 1945 the company was named Volkswagen
V570 too especially with some mechanically similarities.and the whole town took the name "Wolfsburg" which
After the World War II was over Tatra got somewas the name of a castle nearby. The British were
compensations from Volkswagen because they thinklooking to whom to give the control over the factory. It
that their model was pirated from KdF Wagenwas very difficult because Ford though it to be a
because of the similar technology. The KdF Wagenwaste of money and the French government refused.
was made during that time and the similarities pointedSoon after that Heinrich Nordhoff took the opportunity
that during the development major mechanicalwhich came to be a good step in the Volkswagen
components were copied from it and used in thedevelopment.
Tatra design model. Soon after that NSU dropped theIn 1949 the production rapidly increased. Soon after
Type 32 project.that in 1950 the VW transporter was born. Many
In 1933 Porsche together with Hitler made possible forvehicles were transported to Denmark, Sweden,
the citizen car project to continue. The Type 60 wasLuxemburg, Belgium, and Switzerland. In South Africa
soon created and its name soon changed to V1the Beetles were produced during the same year.
(experiment 1). After a proposition made by Hitler V2In 1952 dealership opened doors in England which was
was designed to met the new convertible versionthe first there. In 1951 deluxe version of the Beetle was
criteria that was introduced.exported. In 1952 the American deluxe Beetles got
In 1936 these models together with VW3 were put tohydraulic brakes.
major testing. After enough data was collected theBeetles made before and some during the 1953 looked
next version - the VW30 was made. For the VW30a lot like the old KdF Wagen. In 1955 the Karmann Ghia
testing a new government company was responsible -was introduced. It was made by many of the Beetle
the DAF. This was because of the Hitler's regime.parts to keep the production line cheaper. In 1977 the
Members of SS were told to drive the new VW30production of the Beetle sedan ended. Two years
model and to confirm that all the problems are fixed.after that cabriolet production stopped too.
Soon after that in 1938 in the KdF Wagen factory theHowever it is pretty interesting that Beetles are used
manufacturing process began. In 1939 some VW38and produced in Mexico even today.