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.
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.
The second picture is taken from Observatory Hill overlooking Lake Mendota and Picnic Point in Madison, Wisconsin.
With a Renault Dauphine in the first 2 photos as well.