This 1976 VW Beetle was donated to WBUR, Boston’s NPR station. Your car donation to WBUR will support Boston’s local journalism as well as national programs such as Morning Edition, Fresh Air, and All Things Considered.
The Beetle’s History
The Volkswagen Beetle has a very unique provenance that is unlike any other. After all, the production of the Beetle was the reason behind Volkswagen’s foundation. Volkswagen has consistently ranked in the top three of America’s top-selling automakers over the past decade. Some people love them for their novelty and history, others dislike them for their lack of space and unattractiveness. Volkswagen ended production of the Beetle in 2019, and while these cars were practical and popular at the time, few remain on roadways today.
Volkswagen was founded and created in Germany in 1937 by the German government to invoke a sense of nationalism around the country. Essentially run by Adolf Hitler, he coined the Beetle as “Volkswagen”, or the “people’s car”. The Beetle was designed by Ferdinand Porsche. It was affordable, practical, and reliable. Thirty years later, the “Bug” became a symbol of the 1960s.
Germany halted Beetle production in the late 1970s. In 1998 Volkswagen rolled out the New Beetle, which was meant to be a visual flashback to the original Type 1 design. Volkswagen also introduced a new variation in 2012. But, with sales steadily declining, Volkswagen decided to put an end to the iconic car.
Beetle’s Timeline
1938
With the vision to produce an affordable car for German workers, Adolf Hitler instructed Ferdinand Porsche to design a simple yet economical vehicle for “the people”. The design was known as the Type 1, and it had a rear engine and borrowed design elements from an earlier Porsche and from models of the automaker Tatra. The Volkswagen factory was located in Wolfsburg, Germany.
1946
The factory was put under British control following the end of the war. More than 10,000 cars were manufactured by the end of 1946. Ten years later, one million had been sold.
1968
The name Beetle was officially given to the Type 1. Disney also releases the first of six movies featuring a Volkswagen Beetle named Herbie. In 2018, one of the cars used in the 1977 and 1982 movies set the record for a Beetle at auction selling at $128,700.
1971
Volkswagen introduces the Super Beetle. A premium model with new front suspension and more trunk space. The next year on February 17, 1972 the Beetle surpassed the record held by the Ford Model T for four decades as the best-selling car in the world.
1998
After 60 years, Volkswagen gave the car its first major update, thus the New Beetle was born. The New Beetle had lines that recalled the Type 1 on a platform that was similar to the Volkswagen Golf. The next year in 1999, Mike Myers drove a groovy version in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.
2018
With sales in decline since 2013, Volkswagen announced 2018 as the final year for the beloved Beetle. The two last models were the Final Edition SE and the Final Edition SEL, both available as convertibles.
Donate a Car to WBUR
90.9 WBUR-FM is Boston’s NPR news station and the home of nationally syndicated programs such as On Point and Here & Now. These programs reach millions of listeners each week on NPR stations across the United States and online. In addition to its own locally produced content, WBUR provides listeners with thorough coverage of local, national and international news from NPR, Public Radio International and the BBC. Your car donation to WBUR will help support Boston’s programming, including journalism on-air, online, on demand and on stage.
Car donation is a great way to support your favorite charity while also helping the environment. At least 75% of the gross proceeds from the sale of your vehicle will be donated to WBUR. These funds will allow WBUR to continue the programming you love. Help WBUR achieve this mission by donating your car online or by calling us at (888) 899-9287!