1959 Volkswagen Beetle

The Volkswagen Beetle enjoyed sixty-six years of production, over 21,000,000 examples built, and manufactured on five continents. It was sold in Europe and the United States for over forty years and remained in production in Mexico until the beginning of the 21st century. In 1973 the Beetle surpassed the Model T's total production and has continued to add to its margin for a further quarter-century.

In 1933, Hitler ordered Ferdinand Porsche to design and develop a 'Volkswagen' (a people's car). Five years later Dr. Porsche's familiar Beetle-shaped saloon (given the sequential number Project 12) entered production. It had four-wheel drum brakes, an all-round independent suspension, and an innovative chassis mated to the spacious body by a mere eighteen bolts. Power was sourced from an all-alloy, rear-mounted flat-four, air-cooled engine. The basic concept would remain unchanged over the years, with all Beetles retaining the air-cooled flat-twin motor located behind the rear axle. The wheelbase never budged from 94.5 inches and the track changed only slightly with wheel and tire choices. The swing axle suspension setup was changed in 1969 to a fully articulated independent rear setup.

The platform backbone frame was adaptable and simple to build, and the engine left the entire volume between the wheels free of obstructions and mated directly to the transaxle which eliminated the driveshaft. The air-cooled engine eliminated the whole water cooling system of pipes, pumps, hoses and radiators as well as eliminating the risk of freezing in cold northern winters.

The Volkswagen Beetle had an unusually loyal and enthusiastic following based on its reliability, adaptability, practicality, and affordability. Constant refinements and various improvements were made each year (yet staying true to the original concept). In 1957, the Beetle underwent the most significant revisions yet, with a redesigned body appearing in August that year. It was given a modified engine lid, and both the front and rear windscreens were considerably enlarged to improve outward vision. The dashboard was revised, with the optional radio now located in a central position. There was a larger glovebox and (from September 1957) additional soundproofing was installed for a much quieter ride. Tubeless tires became standardized. Parking lights and turn signals now perched on top of the front fenders.

The 1959 Volkswagen Beetle received minor changes which included the addition of an anti-sway bar, stronger clutch springs, and a stronger reinforced frame. Bodystyles included a two-door sedan, a sunroof sedan, and a convertible. Prices for the sedan began at just over $1,500 and the convertible was slightly north of $2,000. The engine was a horizontally opposed, overhead-valve air-cooled four-cylinder unit displacing 72.7 cubic inches and delivering 36 (SAE) horsepower. It had four main bearings, a 6-volt electric system, and a Solex downdraft carburetor. There were hydraulic drums and a four-speed manual transmission.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2019