Getting the Bugs Back into Volkswagon's History

Oregon Magazine ^ | December 1, 2002 | Thomas H. Lipscomb

[WaterDragon]

Sometimes there is nothing like a nice escapist puff piece in a lifestyle magazine to occasion a total reality check. In this case an unassuming article in American Express' October Travel and Leisure.

ARTnews editor Carly Berwick was simply trying to cover the new "Autostadt" themepark in Wolfsburg, Germany, home of Volkswagon. Owned by VW, the Autostadt is sort of an Epcot Center devoted to the car and in particular Volkswagen products including Audi and Lamborghini. Germans who want to buy VW cars can pick one up at the Autostadt and save the usual dealer delivery fee, and get a free day ticket to the exhibits.

Like all theme parks, Autostadt is all very slick and all very contemporary. But as Berwick toured its Zeithaus, or "Time House," devoted to the history of Volkswagen, she noticed a conspicuous absence of material devoted to VW's contribution to the Nazi war machine....(snip)

For full and complete article, please click here.

[Defend the Second]

When I was in Germany in July, the most consistent thing I noticed were the gaps in every chronology: Nothing happened in Germany (and no photographs survived) from the period 1933 to 1945. Go figure.

I am being too flip, actually. I know exactly why, and I understand totally, the German reluctance to discuss or relive the period. They are doing everything they can to erase it, including blowoing up the RUBBLE of Nazi buildings then carting the rubble from the rubble off to a secret location.

[WaterDragon]

Trying to block out that period of their history might cause serious problems for them, don't you think?

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

Some German friends were visiting a few summers ago, and we went to a wine festival in a nearby park. At the festival was a display of the fabulous New Beetle, courtesy of a local dealer. The Germans were agitated about the new model: "The Americans should never have been allowed to make a replica of the first Volkswagen. Its time is done! It should not be remembered in this way! Leave it to history!" ...Motivating much of their commentary was their anguish at the new model's resemblance to Hitler's People's Car. To this day, you never see the New Beetle on an Autobahn. I presume that is largely for that reason.

[WaterDragon]

It's good that the remembrance of that time still causes some to feel anguish. Truly, it is a time to anguish over. We Americans have our share of it....our government at that time knew about the slaughter of Jews and others yet refused them sanctuary.

[mamelukesabre]

What about having that period of history constantly in their face and crammed down their throat?


Do you think that might cause some serious problems for them?

[mamelukesabre]

I think I agree with the germans on this.

At one time I drove a 1971 super beetle with a metal sunroof. It didnt' have a window in it, it was just a sliding metal panel. In some ways it was a great car, and in some ways it was a horrible car. I have good memories of it. The new beetle is a joke. IT is nothing like the old beetle...it just has a similar appearance, but the character is all wrong.

[Lorenb420]

Motivating much of their commentary was their anguish at the new model's resemblance to Hitler's People's Car. To this day, you never see the New Beetle on an Autobahn. I presume that is largely for that reason.

Hitler's People's Car (more info):

The New Beetle:

[Joe 6-pack]

Just as amongst the 2nd Amendment attackers, I think it's ridiculous to attribute human characteristics to inanimate objects. People who think of the VW as, "Hitler's car," and think it should not marketed for such reasons are foolish. If the car is a stinker, and fails of it's own volition, then so be it. Likewise, from a free-market perspective, if the VW people produce a quality product at a competetive price and succesfully market it...they deserve to do well.

Personally, if the people of W. Germany are protesting the new Beetle because of it's associations with the past, they are even bigger fools than I thought. Following their thought process to their logical conclusion, all pre-WWII german businesses that are still in existence should be closed.

[alphadog]

"Hitler's People's Car."

It was Adolf only good idea...To my German friends...lighten up

[sheik yerbouty]

He had it wrong. It was the Beetle that would last a thousand years.

[3catsanadog]

My first car was a cream colored 1971 convertible Beetle. I got up and down the snow covered hills of Pittsburgh in that little car just fine.

I will forever regret getting rid of it.

[alphadog]

"He had it wrong. It was the Beetle that would last a thousand years.

Why didn't I think of that...LOL

[Fiddlstix]

Why didn't I think of that...LOL

LOL! Me Too!

[WaterDragon]

bump!

[WaterDragon]

Ping1

[blackie]

I had a '69 Bug that I turned into BajaBug and towed in behind our motorhome...

I wrecked both of them on highway #20 on our way to Newport a couple of years ago... :o(

With the insurance money, I bought this: :o)

Ford F-150 SVT Lightning.

[WaterDragon]

Sorry about the wreck, blackie, but that's one mean looking truck!

[cmsgop]

If the VW people produce a quality product at a competetive price and succesfully market it...they deserve to do well.

Well Said, and they do......My next car will either be another VW or an Audi. For the money they are Top Notch and the service is great. They really care, I mean that.

[cmsgop]

Nice Rig Buster ..:*)