The end of the road for Beetlemania: The last ever VW Beetle has rolled off the production line, signalling the end of an icon of motoring that was born when Adolf Hitler demanded the creation of a ‘people’s car’
The world’s biggest selling car is no more. This week the last ever VW Beetle rolled off the production line and ended an astonishing era.
The original car was designed by Ferdinand Porsche in 1938 after Adolf Hitler ordered him to create a ‘People’s car’ — or Volks Wagen.
Only a handful were made before World War II intervened and production was not restarted until the late Forties. The quirky motor took the world by storm — and even became a Hollywood star in its own right in the Herbie films.
The old air-cooled model was eventually phased out and replaced in 1997 by a new version that was more sophisticated but less fun.
And by the time the final Bug was made in Puebla, Mexico, VW had sold more than 21 million Beetles…
This will conquer the world: Ferdinand Porsche, left, shows Hitler his design for the People’s Car
Heidi Klum and Martin Kristen out and about in Brentwood, California in their Beetle back in 2013
Hyperdrive: Star Wars’ Ewan McGregor’s classic out and about in his Beetle in Los Angeles
You’re beautiful: James Blunt and wife Sofia driving in a Volkswagen Beetle on a trip to Spain
At the car wash: Kevin Bacon, right, in the movie Footloose
Family fun: Jeremy Irons, Sinead Cusack and son in Hampstead Heath, London with their Beetle
The joker: A laughing Jack Nicholson on the road in his white convertible Volkswagen Beetle
Festival fatigue: Music fans crash out on their Vee-Dub at Woodstock in the summer of 1969
A star is born: A 1938 ad for the icon soon to be renamed the Volkswagen — complete with swastika, bottom left
Psychedelic: If you’re going to San Francisco, you’re going to see some wacky Beetles there
Fully air-conditioned: Amazing wrought iron bodywork creates a unique customised version
Love Bug: Herbie the Volkswagen Beetle was the big screen star of 1968 and starred in several films
Love Bug: Herbie the Volkswagen Beetle was the big screen star of 1968 and starred in several fil,ms
Surf’s up: What better way to beetle down to the beach than in a Beetle?
Groovy, Baby: Mike Myers sitting in a Beetle in his role as Austin Powers in the hit movie