1972 Volkswagen Beetle

Rooted in Germany's KdF-Wagen design concept, with the KdF representing Kraft durch Freude or Strength through Joy, the Beetle was conceived from the early experiments of Project 12 at the Porsche facility, where engineers settled on a rear-engine layout and a simple yet effective platform chassis. Many revisions followed with no less than 30 distinct prototypes by 1935. Eventually, the Series 38 design embodied the Beetle. The Volkswagen Beetle Type 1 was produced from 1938 through 2003, and in a similar fashion and concept to the Ford Model T, it was an affordable people's car of durable construction and economical operation.

Throughout its long production run, careful updates were applied. North American sales continued through 1979 and derivative models including the Transporter, Karmann-Ghia, Type 181 'Thing' and the Karmann-built Cabriolet.

The Super Beetle of the early 1970s (introduced in 1971) brought modern MacPherson strut-type front suspension, a slightly redesigned front end, a bigger trunk, and myriad detail refinements. The Super Beetle Cabriolet would continue in North America through 1979 with fuel injection adding additional horsepower to the venerable air-cooled 4-cylinder Volkswagen engine plus more compliance with tougher vehicle-emission standards.

Volkswagen promoted the Volkswagen Super Beetle by stating that it had 89 improvements, including a boost in horsepower to 60 BHP. New flow-through vent ports were placed behind the side windows, and chrome trim could be found around its side windows. The turning radius was smaller, and the front tread dimension grew wider.

For 1972, changes to the Beetle were minor. The rear window grew larger, and a hinged parcel shelf covered the luggage well. Improving safety, an energy-absorbing steering wheel, and inertia-reel seatbelts were installed.

On February 17th of 1972, Beetle number 15,007,033 rolled off the assembly line, besting Henry Ford's Model T.

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