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5 Timeless Volkswagen Classics that Changed the Automotive Industry Forever

It takes a special kind of brand to produce a car considered to be a classic that is loved and adored by the masses that it is memorable not just upon release, but in the decades that follow.

Volkswagen seems to have a knack for creating these memorable vehicles, and today we’re recounting 5 of the best and most memorable Volkswagen vehicles that have been immortalized in the annals of history.

5. The Volkswagen Type 181/182 (The Thing)

Sold in the U.S. for just two years (1973-74), the VW Thing was originally designed to meet the need of a vehicle that could handle the roads in less developed areas that the Type 1 Beetle couldn’t necessarily handle. With Mexican buyers requesting such a vehicle and Type 1-based dune buggies becoming more popular stateside, Volkswagen decided this more durable take on their people’s car would prove successful.

Due to stricter regulations, the Thing was only sold for two years in the U.S., but continued to be popular elsewhere, such as South America. The Thing was also meant to fill in the space for NATO forces while the Europa Jeep was being developed, but the project ultimately fell apart and the Type 181 supplied over 50,000 NATO units during its production.

4. Volkswagen Karmann Ghia

The Karmann Ghia was essentially a coach-built, Italian-designed Volkswagen Beetle. It used the same chassis and engine but cost substantially more than the Type 1 due to its handcrafted design and manufacturing process much more akin to high-profile luxury automakers.

The Karmann Ghia’s popularity really didn’t start growing until a few decades after production when it was rediscovered to be both beautiful and one of the most affordable classic cars on the market. Ironically marketed as a sportier and more refined Volkswagen product, the car is actually very slow and handles pretty terribly. Still, it looks great!

3. The Volkswagen Type 2 (Microbus, Transporter, Hippie Van, etc…)

The concept for the VW Bus was originally inspired by a modified Beetle which, upon seeing, made Dutch importer Ben Pon realize that the Type 1 had more potential. Over the course of 3 years, the idea went from sketch to prototype to production in 1950.

Perhaps the most iconic take on the Type 2 was the Deluxe 21-window variant, which remains highly collectible and very expensive to this day. Other iterations include the popular Westfalia camper, Samba bus, Flatbed pickup, Panel van, and Kombi. It has also been used as an ambulance, hearse, police van, fire engine, and even an ice cream truck in various parts of the world.

2. The Volkswagen Type 1 (The Beetle)

If ever there was a car that spoke for itself, it’s the VW Beetle. This is arguably the number one most recognizable car on the planet. Designed by Ferdinand Porsche under the direction of the German government, the Type 1 was essentially meant to be the perfect car.

It was introduced in 1938 and was basically the most popular car on Earth until the late 1960’s when competition across the globe finally caught up and started to overtake the Beetle. The Beetle’s original design was so timeless and perfect that it was actually altered very minimally over the 60+ years it was produced. The New Beetle in 1998 was the first major redesign the model ever saw.

1. Volkswagen Golf GTI

The Volkswagen Golf was originally introduced in 1974 in an attempt to finally put the Beetle to rest and secure a successor once and for all. The original Golf sold very well and the Beetle remained in production for only a few more years stateside. Then came the GTI, which Volkswagen actually denied originally, claiming the Golf was never meant to be a performance car.

The GTI got a 40 horsepower bump over the stock model and while only 5,000 were planned, VW ended up making over 400,000…and none of them were sold in the U.S. Luckily, we’ve had the second generation onward, of which VW has sold over 2 million units.

The GTI is so important to history because it was such a fantastic car that it actually ended up spawning an entirely new segment of cars, just as the Ford Mustang did, called hot hatches. The Golf GTI is almost directly responsible for bringing performance to the masses in a small and affordable package.

 

 

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