Today’s vintage images feature VW products roaming around the US during the ’50s and ’60s. Naturally, most of the photos feature Beetles, but a couple of other models appear as well. We start with my preferred shot above, which really shows how different these small rear-engine imports were from the norm. I’m sure that no one at the time this photo was taken could have guessed that these quirky arrivals would eventually become a new form of ‘normal’. Not even the enthusiastic owners of this early Beetle.
I never get tired of looking at Beetles, no matter how familiar they are. Love the shot of the 1200 pulling that camping trailer. That was not all that uncommon.
Paul, I don’t think that’s a 1200, it has flat hubcaps. It’s either a ’66 or ’67. (1300 or 1500)
I had that thought at first glance, but a closer zoomed in view shows that it does have the domed moon hub caps and it has the smaller windows all-round (pre-’65). And if it were a 1300 or 1500, it would have that badge on the rear engine lid.
I was mistaken, you’re right.
I know I’ve no memory of seeing one “towing”. The pic’s are all fun for sure.
Yep had 3 Beetles 64,67,71 Supper Beetle +75 Rabbit
I can’t imagine towing a trailer on mountain roads with just that little sewing machine in the trunk doing all the heavy lifting. Plus the terrible effect of cross winds on VWs. But, they apparently got there, even at 15 MPH.
I remember my ’63 dipping down to 45 MPH on most hills, even with the pedal to the floor–the payoff was never overheating and always starting up on cold winter days.
The 5th photograph is in front of the Boone Tavern which is part of Berea College in Berea, Kentucky. While this photo seems mid-1960s and hence at a time where VWs were increasingly common…even in Kentucky…it was still more likely to find a VW in a college town than most other small towns across the country. (Cities area whole other thing.) Berea is due south from Lexington by about 40 miles, and Lexington (another college town) would be the other most likely place to find a VW in Kentucky at that time.
Glad to see somebody else recognize the location. Based on the Cougar ahead of the Beetle, and the Chrysler Newport across the way my guess would by 1968 at the earliest.
My Grandparents visited there in the fall of ’67, and their picture includes yet another VW.
The second picture is taken from Observatory Hill overlooking Lake Mendota and Picnic Point in Madison, Wisconsin.
Thanks! Was going to “inquire” about that one. The “Buick” wagon in there is like the one in the “Buick dealer’s” post from yesterday.
Anyone know where the pic with the two ((different gen)) beetles was taken?
(last pic)
With a Renault Dauphine in the first 2 photos as well.
The Ghia pic seems unlikely as a random candid snap. Looks more like she’s trying to demonstrate the carrying capacity of the rear compartment. Suitcase, grocery bag, grocery box.
And what looks like a giant sombrero on the roof. An unusual assortment of cargo.
Odd indeed. I think that’s Washington State…Yakima perhaps.
Maybe she’d just driven up from Mexico with all that tourist stuff, although I’m not sure how that giant sombrero would ever have fit into the car. All the way up from Mexico.
I also notice that that’s a 2 VW photo (light blue Beetle parked up next to the grocery store).
It does appear to be Yakima; as an agricultural community that also explains the pickups and the Jeep, which may be a wagon or a pickup. Edit: maybe even two Jeeps, is that a DJ behind the sombrero?
It’s amazing what one can fit in a Ghia with the rear seat folded flat! I transport bikes in mine and everyone at the trailhead that turned up in an SUV or pickup smiles when they see what comes out of this tiny car,,,,
Beetles and Karmanns.
If we add the 80s, the Golf and Fox would enter.
Nice, all of these .
The K-G is a pre 1958 model .
It’s hard for younger folks to grasp just how common the lowly VW Beetle was in it’s heyday .
Notice how many have the fabric “Sliding Sunshine Roof” (Model #117) .
I was out driving my old ’59 before sunup this morning, yes it tops out at 72 ~ 74 MPH but with only me in it it zooms right up and over most of the local steep passes .
-Nate
Glad you are enjoying your ’59! I remember seeing a picture you posted of it. VeeDubs are so much fun and so usable, even today.
I still love looking at old beetle photos, and I see one in my driveway every day!
Now that my life is simplified with less motorcycles, time to get that thing back on the road…
I’ll say!
The first picture reminds me of a post from a series a while back on car advertising tropes. There was one dedicated to just that, a person unnaturally standing on a seat poking through a sunroof. Like that’s even a thing. Anyway, she seems happy with her car, so there’s that.
I’m trying to figure out what the woman is carrying out to her Carmen Ghia from the thrift store. It looks like a dog dish hubcap poking out of a box labeled “Canada White Vinegar”, whose logo appears to be a US Route Sign. This picture is worth a thousand questions. 😉
Looks like the vinegar box had the logo of Western Vinegars Limited, which was one of Canada’s biggest vinegar producers. They started selling under the name “Canada Pure Vinegar” in about 1959-60.
I do like how she has Canadian vinegar, a Mexican sombrero and a German car, all in… Yakima, Washington. This is one of those photos where I’d love to know the backstory.
Count me in as another who loves vintage photos of vintage Beetles. I came home from the hospital in a ’58, and included all the shoebox photos I could find of the car in a post I wrote back in 2013:
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/cars-of-a-lifetime/coal-1958-volkswagen-type-i-deluxe-my-first-ride-in-a-beetle/
I recently found our old book of amusing Beetle cartoons from the 60s. Think Small was the title? Not sure why we had it, as we never had a Beetle.
This reminds me of the green Beetle that showed up three times during the chase scene of the 1968 movie Bullitt.
Had a Rabbit diesel. Fantastic fuel economy but the 3 cylinder engine required careful planning before pulling out in traffic and some serious downshifting for steep uphills. Waited 6 months for delivery on my new ’79 VW
I had several Beetles from 1974 to 1995. I would have a Toyota or something else as a work car and keep the Beetle as a “Sunday Car” as all were in nice condition.
For me, born in 1954, the Beetles were a real magnet for age appropriate women.
So many would want to initiate conversations about how they had one or knew someone who did.
After that is was up to me to suggest a ride to get dinner, a movie, concert etc.
The first car I ever owned was a VW beetle. The German quality was evident. It ran well, always starting in all kinds of weather. Got through terrible winters with ease–plowed it’s way through. VW dealers I visited at the time were crooks.
My first car was also a VW beetle, a 1967 with factory sunroof, bought used in 1979 for Cdn$300. After a year or so, the driver’s seat fell through the rusted out floor – Ontario was part of the great lakes rust belt.
Next up – a huge upgrade (at the time) to a 1974 VW 412 wagon, fuel injected 1.8L with 3 speed auto.
I had a baby blue ‘63 Beetle that my Dad bought for me for $75 from a guy he worked with. Found the original color code and had it repainted.
So liked that car, but a guy with a Cordoba smashed in the side when it was parked on the street.
So miss that car!!