This illustrated history celebrates the 75th and 70th anniversaries of Volkswagen’s two most iconic vehicles, from the first Beetles spearheaded by Ferdinand Porsche in the 1940s to the buses that became synonymous with a generation.
Volkswagen is one of the most beloved brands in motoring history, thanks largely to two
instantly recognizable vehicles : the Beetle (a.k.a. Bug) and the Bus. More than
23 million VW Beetles have buzzed into the world since 1945, while the VW Bus presaged the minivan by thirty-plus years.
Volkswagen: Beetles and Buses examines and celebrates all aspects of the vehicles and the many cultural associations that have swirled around them for more than seven decades. The diminutive rear-engined and easily mass-produced Beetle became the
most popular imported car in America during the 1960s. Its success was due to its familiar face, its wildly
clever ad campaigns , and the sheer numbers produced. The equally compact yet spacious Bus (a.k.a.
Kombi ,
Microbus ,
Type 2 ,
Transporter , and simply “van”) has won millions of fans around the world with its practicality, simplicity, and design.
In this beautifully illustrated and authoritatively written celebration, author Russell Hayes looks back at the vehicles while focusing on the classic air-cooled VWs that ran into the late 1970s. Along the way, readers witness the Beetle and Bus at work and at play and learn about vehicle development and growing
roles in popular culture , including star appearances in films like
The Love Bug , Little Miss Sunshine, Footloose, Fight Club, The Big Lebowski, and
Fast Times at Ridgemont High, as well as television shows like
Lost and
Once Upon a Time and on the covers of the Beatles’
Abbey Road and Bob Dylan’s
Freewheelin’ album. The story is brought up to date with coverage of the
New Beetle and plans for the
VW Buzz , a modern electric version of the iconic
Microbus due in 2022.
Volkswagen: Beetles
and Buses deserves a place in the motoring libraries of VW owners, automotive enthusiasts, and those simply interested in pop culture. It’s the ultimate illustrated history of these beloved vehicles.
About the author
Russell Hayes divides his time between writing (mostly on classic car and consumer subjects) and TV production (he has worked on Top Gear and Driven). He lives in London, England.
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