The history of the Volkswagen Beetle is a very interesting story that expands over 50 years. Some people have no idea of it’s origin and others mistakenly think that Adolf Hitler created this car. Germany did play a huge part in making this car possible, but it was an Austrian automotive engineer that started this dream.

That Austrian was Ferdinand Porsche and he had a desire to create a small popular car. In his search for a company to help make it possible, German motorcycle company Zündapp answered his call in 1931. Porsche created a 2 door sedan, which was similar to the Beetle. However, due to problems with the engine, this project was aborted. Then in 1933 Porsche got another chance when Adolf Hitler contacted him to advance the concepts of the small car.

At this time Germany wanted to expand their auto industry. So on May 28, 1937 the government of Germany, under the control of Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist Party, created Gesellschaft zur Vorbereitung des Deutschen Volkswagens mbH. It was renamed on September 16th, 1938 to “Volkswagenwerk GmbH” or “The People’s Car Company.” It is now Europe’s largest automotive company with an extraordinary success story.

In 1938, the New York Times published an article nicknaming the “KdF-Wagen” the Beetle, thus coining the current name we know so well. Later in 1939, the Beetle made it’s first debut at the Berlin Motor Show. Despite the publicity the Beetle was receiving, Porsche was not a member of the Nazi party and he did not approve of Hitler’s use of propaganda as advertisement for the Beetle.

Upon the commencement of World War II, Volkswagenwerk stopped the production of cars and changed to making armaments. About 20,000 forced labors, prisoners of war, and concentration camp prisoners worked at the factory.

In mid-June 1945, after the end of the World War II, the British Military Government took over Volkswagenwerk. With new organization, Major Ivan Hirst began mass production of the Volkswagen Beetle. Subsequently, in 1960 the German government sold 60 percent of Volkswagen’s stock to the public.

The Pomona Swap Meet & Classic Car Show has hosted many Volkswagens over the years. Please contact us for more information on the meet and show.

And for all you Volkswagen enthusiasts, don’t miss the VW Classic Weekend in June 2013.

JUNE 2013: VW Classic Weekend

  • JUNE 5-9 – Chino, CA – BLACKSTAR Pre-Classic Campout 2013 held at Prado Regional Park, 16700 S. Euclid Ave. Hours: Any time after 5pm Wednesday. Caravan to OCTO Show on Sat. Camping, food & fun. Contact: keepitstock.com.
  • JUNE 7 – Huntington Beach, CA – Pierside Parts Annual Open House held at 17031 Newland St. Hours: Starts at 11am. Free Hawaiian lunch, VW vehicle display. Contact: Carol 714.848.8868.
  • JUNE 8 – Long Beach, CA – O.C.T.O. Show 2013 held at Long Beach Veteran’s Memorial Stadium, 5000 Lew Davis St. Hours: Starts at 6am. Swap meet and display meet for ’67 and earlier Type II VW’s Contact: octo.org.
  • JUNE 9 – Irvine, CA – VW Classic presented by Pierside Parts Unlimited held at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, 8808 Irvine Center Drive. Hours: Starts at 6:30am. VW show and swap meet. Contact: bugorama.com.