Volkswagen Beetle - A Celebration of the world's most popular car, by Richard Copping
Published by Veloce in 2018, 176 pages. Square Hardback with Dust Jacket, c.25.5cm by 25.5cm (N7795).
Brand New Book
Brand New Book
Every aspect of the Beetle’s lengthy history described and analysed - from Porsche’s design for Hitler, the British rescue after the war, 20 years of glorious expansion to create a world phenomenon, followed by a determined effort to rid VW of its heritage and finally a successful exile to South America.
The VW Beetle is simply the best-known and most-loved car in the history of the motor car. Amazingly, some of the earliest Beetles, now seven decades old, are still on the road, while more recent examples, particularly the classics from the late 1950s and '60s are many an enthusiast's pride and joy. Created through the ingenuity of Ferdinand Porsche, brought to the brink of series production by Hitler's Nazis and rescued from oblivion by the British after the war, the Beetle soon developed into a phenomenon under the guardianship of Heinz Nordhoff, the VW boss for two decades. Overwhelmingly successful in over 150 countries across the world, most notably in the USA; when the car finally fell from grace in Europe after Nordhoff's death, it was destined to enjoy a revitalised and lengthy swansong in South America. The legendary Beetle’s intriguing story is unravelled in this fascinating and handsome book.
The VW Beetle is simply the best-known and most-loved car in the history of the motor car. Amazingly, some of the earliest Beetles, now seven decades old, are still on the road, while more recent examples, particularly the classics from the late 1950s and '60s are many an enthusiast's pride and joy. Created through the ingenuity of Ferdinand Porsche, brought to the brink of series production by Hitler's Nazis and rescued from oblivion by the British after the war, the Beetle soon developed into a phenomenon under the guardianship of Heinz Nordhoff, the VW boss for two decades. Overwhelmingly successful in over 150 countries across the world, most notably in the USA; when the car finally fell from grace in Europe after Nordhoff's death, it was destined to enjoy a revitalised and lengthy swansong in South America. The legendary Beetle’s intriguing story is unravelled in this fascinating and handsome book.
From the front inside fly leaf: The classic Volkswagen Beetle is renowned across the world for its endearingly unusual design, its rugged air-cooled longevity and above all the phenomenal numbers in which it was produced, not just in Germany but also in countries such as Brazil and Mexico. It is, truly, a 'great car.'
This beautifully presented book tells the Beetle's story, from its initial survival against the odds before, during and after the Second World War, onwards into the golden age of the 1950s and 1960s, through the difficult times of the 1970s and finally the sprightly retirement years. When production finally ceased in July 2003 a total of 21,529,464 Beetles had been built - a record unlikely ever to be equalled by a single model of the same basic construction.
The full model history of the Beetle is traced in meticulous detail and follows Volkswagen's policy of continuously improving its products, from the early split- and oval-rear-window models through to the later 'Super Beetles,' the impeccably finished Karmann Cabriolet and finally the Ultima Edition, which rolled off the Mexican production line in 2003. In addition the author describes how the Beetle has been marketed through the decades, supported by examples of the wonderfully evocative artwork from the early years and the self deprecating advertisements used to great effect in later years.
Illustrated with a combination of exceptional archive imagery and specially commissioned studio photographs, this is the uncut story of the VW Beetle. The expert author, Richard Copping, provides a lively yet authoritative reinterpretation of the story of the car that dominated the 20th century.
This beautifully presented book tells the Beetle's story, from its initial survival against the odds before, during and after the Second World War, onwards into the golden age of the 1950s and 1960s, through the difficult times of the 1970s and finally the sprightly retirement years. When production finally ceased in July 2003 a total of 21,529,464 Beetles had been built - a record unlikely ever to be equalled by a single model of the same basic construction.
The full model history of the Beetle is traced in meticulous detail and follows Volkswagen's policy of continuously improving its products, from the early split- and oval-rear-window models through to the later 'Super Beetles,' the impeccably finished Karmann Cabriolet and finally the Ultima Edition, which rolled off the Mexican production line in 2003. In addition the author describes how the Beetle has been marketed through the decades, supported by examples of the wonderfully evocative artwork from the early years and the self deprecating advertisements used to great effect in later years.
Illustrated with a combination of exceptional archive imagery and specially commissioned studio photographs, this is the uncut story of the VW Beetle. The expert author, Richard Copping, provides a lively yet authoritative reinterpretation of the story of the car that dominated the 20th century.