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The middle of 2003 was marked by an event seen as a tragedy by car lovers all over the world: the production of the last ever Volkswagen Beetle. Until then, the Beetle had been in constant production since 1945.
Any car owner has experienced the humiliation of being overtaken at high speed by a fancy, high tech, brand new SUV. If you're lucky enough to own such a car, you have probably zoomed past your fair share of Beetles on your travels. Nevertheless, you are just as likely to see the selfsame SUV over heating on the side of the road in the height of summer while a Volkswagen Beetle drives coolly by. Equally, a Beetle owner never has to worry about their car refusing to start on a cold winter's day.
A 72-year-old story
The Volkswagen Beetle has a long and glorious history. In most places around the world, is known as a 'bug' or 'beetle'. However, in Turkey, it is known as a Turtle or Tortoise. The comparison to turtles is strangely apt: like them, the Volkswagen is slow but has a long and uneventful life. It is also known as a 'Vosvos'. When the first Volkswagens were imported from Germany in the 1960s, many Turks were unable to pronounce the word 'Volkswagen'. 'Vosvagen' soon became 'Vosvos' or 'Fosfos'. Beetles are truly remarkable cars. They inspire feelings that other vehicles can only dream of. How many car owners happily flash their headlights at each other as a kind of cheery hello?
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The tortoise and the hare
The Volkswagen Beetle was the first production model to have an air-cooled motor system. And its headlights and grille have an uncanny resemblance to a smiley face. Not surprisingly, many Beetle owners believe that their cars are living, breathing beings with a personality. Some talk to their cars. Some even think they understand them.The Beetle is also a champion! For many years, the East Africa Rally was won by a Beetle, beating Mercedes and Fords. In 1962, only 47 out of 104 automobiles completed the 4800km rally. Guess who won?
The only car in a leading role
No doubt, the Herbie films were inspired by the Beetle's rally wins. Herbie was a 1965 model Beetle. The first film, 'Love Bug' came out in 1969. This was followed in 1974 by 'Herbie Rides Again' and then 'Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo' in 1977 and finally 'Herbie Goes Bananas' in 1980. It isn't unheard of for Beetle owners to describe their cars as their best friends or even as reliable partners on the journey of life.
Volkswagen Beetle fans enjoy sharing their love of the bug. Their are Volkswagen Beetle clubs in almost every country in the world including the United States, Indonesia, Greece, Mexico, Turkey and Brazil. The story goes that there are over 500 clubs in Germany alone. In addition, there are magazines dedicated to Volkswagen Beetle lovers in the US, UK and France whose circulation numbers in the hundred and thousands.
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Volkswagen parties
Volkswagen fans arrange a huge variety of social and even political activities centred on the Beetle. In the US and the UK, they hold souped up Beetle races. Hundreds of 1950 model Beetle owners meet up in Germany every year. Over 2500 Beetles come together in Paris. There is even a Volkswagen party in Istanbul during the first week of July. Turkey boasts VW Beetle clubs in Istanbul Ankara, Izmir, Samsun and Bursa that organise a wide range of events including picnics, tree plantings and VW Beetle beauty contests as well as a variety of political events.At the beginning of the 21st century, it is easy to feel a little overwhelmed by technology. The Volkswagen Beetle serves as a welcome reminder that, sometimes, it is best to take things slowly. Its enduring popularity proves that this is a lesson we all still like to hear.
At the centre of the capitalist ideal is the belief that 'new is best'. We are constantly upgrading: upgrading our computers, upgrading our mobile phones, upgrading our wardrobes, upgrading our cars, upgrading our relationships. (Ironically, few people seem interested in upgrading themselves.) The Volkswagen Beetle is one of the few things that nobody wants to see change.
In the 21st century, scrap metal yards will be filled with high tech cars. But the 'old-fashioned' Beetle will still be in our hearts and on our highways.
How do you say 'VW Beetle'
United Kingdom: Beetle, United States: Bug, Spain: Escarabajo, Mexico: Volcho, Italy: Maggiolino, France: Coccinelle, Yugoslavia: Buba, Brazil: Fusca, Holland: Kaver
Records held by the VW Beetle
Longest continuous production (1945-2003)Most sales (1945-1990, 21 million)
Largest number of changes (269,000)
Longest continuous use of a single car (1958-2000, Atıf Tuna-Istanbul)
First car to star in a film (Herbie)
The most magazines and books dedicated to a single car
The most clubs dedicated to a single car
The car to have inspired the most jokes
The largest model collection (6,000 items, Germany).
| The Volkswagen Beetle inspires another book! |
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VOSVOS: 1931-2003 A turtle's journey Cem Çobanlı, neKitaplar, January 2004, 240 pages 'VOSVOS: A turtle's journey' is the first book published in Turkey dedicated to a single make of car. This colourful work will attract Volkswagen lovers and 'future converts' alike. It includes some 800 photos, diagrams, drawings and cartoons; a diary of worldwide events from 1931-2003 through the eyes of a VW Beetle as well as articles about Beetle clubs, rally Beetles, children born in Beetles, model Beetle collections and Beetle models by year. There is also an index of 196 examples of Beetle terminology at the end of the book. |
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