Volkswagen Beetle

The Beetle revolutionized the automotive industry worldwide. In the forties German dictator Adolf Hitler commissioned Ferdinand Porsche to build a "people's car", a car that anyone could afford. Thus came the Volkswagen, a barebones car with a very low price. It was successful in Nazi Germany and eventually the rest of Europe. Ironically, it became successful in the United States later on, especially with the sixties counterculture. The Beetle's popularity and revolutionary status made it iconic and immediately recognizable. It was given a more powerful "Super Beetle" version in the seventies. The Beetle competed in the Trans Am Series under two liter category. The Beetle came in sedan, coupe, and convertible. It even had a sunroof version. An Italian-designed sports car called the Karmann-Ghia was created using a Beetle engine. The Beetle was discontinued in the seventies in the US but continued for decades in Mexico where it became the definitive car. A "New Beetle" was created in 1997 based on the Volkswagen Golf. However, this new model was heavily criticized. It was not barebones. It was not inexpensive. It was front-engined. It was larger. It only looked vaguely like the original. Regardless it was a success and production continued, with the "New" in its name being kept even when it wasn't. Luxury models were even introduced. Larger models were introduced. New Beetle cup races were held. After several years the model was renamed to simply the Beetle. A few years later the Beetle was gone for good. The original Beetle is best known for its being featured in the popular Disney Herbie film series. It was also the basis for Bumblebee in the original Transformers.