Volkswagen Beetle
There still are some Chicago area auto dealers who could shoot themselves, at least in the foot, for turning down a VW franchise in the 1950s and 1960s.
Americans fell in love with the bizarre but functional styling of the Volkswagen Beetle, which cost $1,280 in 1949. It had an air-cooled, rear-mounted engine. Although bog-slow and a nasty handler in crosswinds, it was simple, cheap to run, dead reliable, easy to park and, with all that weight in back, among the first to motor away after an all-night snowstorm.
It also was a kick to drive if you allowed yourself lots of time to pass other vehicles. The solidly built Volkswagen Beetle made Americans aware of German auto quality, and it was a great anti-establishment car in the anti-establishment 1960s. Volkswagen Beetle production easily bested that of the Model T, with about 21 million sold worldwide. Nearly 5 million were bought in America before the door was shut on them here in 1980.
Beetles Reunion; Got Back: It's The Classic Volkswagen For The Millennium
.The Volkswagen Beetle is making a comeback - 52 years after the first model rolled off the Volkswagen production line. The 90s Volkswagen Beetle was the star of the Detroit Auto Show and will go on sale in the States in March. But British fans will have to wait until next winter - or even early 1999 - before they can fork out pounds 14,000 for one. The stubby bonnet line and voluptuous wheel arches will turn back the clock for old-time Volkswagen Beetle lovers. But that's where the resemblance ends. The 90s Volkswagen Beetle is based on the same platform as the new Golf, Audi A3 and Skoda Octavia. And the old rear mounted air-cooled engine has been replaced by 2.0 litre petrol or a 1.9 turbo diesel. The re-emergence of the Volkswagen Beetle is one of the most extraordinary stories in the first century of the car.
The basis of a Nazi con-trick - more than 300,000 Germans failed to receive one in a bogus savings plan - is now back as the centre of attention. The Volkswagen Beetle was the original people's cars, and British motorists adored its squat looks and reliability. Production has topped 25 million and storms on with the newcomer. But supplies for Britain will be dictated by VW's willingness to deny left-hand drive markets cars. Judging by delays to the Passat and Golf, the outlook isn't good. Demand in the UK looks certain to outstrip supply in the early stages of the Volkswagen Beetle's life.
New Beetlemania began in 1994 when VW's Concept 1 - a motor show special with the lines of the 1940s car - instantly struck a chord. The wings, bonnet and bumper are made from plastic to keep the weight down but this Volkswagen Beetle has high safety standards. It has energy-absorbing crush zones, airbags and daytime running lights. There is a large speedo dial ahead of the steering wheel, just like the original, but the interior is styled to appeal to design-influenced city motorists.
It will come with air conditioning, six-speaker stereo, anti-theft alarm and remote central locking. Options include electronic anti-lock brakes, alloy wheels, cruise control, leather seating and heated front seats. Chrysler signalled its plans to challenge General Motors' Cadillac Seville which is going on sale in the UK and around the world this year.
The 17ft 1in by 6ft 4in Chrysler Chronos is a concept car which points to a likely future production model. Riding on 20-inch front and 21-inch rear aluminium wheels, the Chronos has the potential to be a range-topper for Chrysler, which has made inroads into the UK market with the Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee 4x4 models.
Another mighty car, the Mercedes-Benz Maybach concept, was first seen at the Tokyo Motor Show last autumn and makes an American debut at Detroit. The German manufacturer was criticised for being out of touch with a large saloon when others took to the green trail with economy models. At almost 19ft, it outstretches the Chronos and has the lavish interior of a private jet, with electrically-adjustable reclining rear seats, and bar for hot and cool drinks. There is a cool box for champagne, humidor for cigars, three phones and 20-inch TV.
Ford whetted the appetite with a motor show concept car last year, and has now lifted the lid off the Cougar, its Mondeo-based sports coupe which goes on sale in the UK this summer. This successor to the Probe was designed by Ford at its engineering centres in Essex and Germany but is built in the US. It uses Ford's "new edge" design theme, making it look like a bigger version of the Fiesta-based Puma.
Aston Martin revved up its image with a 200mph Project Vantage, a possible future model under development with the help of Ford Advanced Vehicle Technology and key component suppliers. Ford owns both Aston Martin and Jaguar which will build its BMW 3 Series rival at the Ford plant at Halewood, Merseyside.
From: Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland)
Date: January 14, 1998
Author:Head, Tony