Air-Cooled Volkswagen - History, Features, Photos & Events

AllAirCooled.com covers classic air-cooled Volkswagens, including the Beetle, Bus, Karmann Ghia, Type 3, and Thing. Explore model history, factory photos, vintage ads, event coverage, and monthly features from across the VW community.

Danny Bonaduce's Palm Springs Ghia: The Story of Tamale

Danny Bonaduce’s 1971 Karmann Ghia brings a lifetime of memories back into focus. From childhood rides in family Volkswagens to decades in entertainment, his connection to these cars has always been personal. Today his Palm Springs cruiser, a bright and beautifully restored Ghia named Tamale, carries that history forward with simple style and unmistakable charm. It is more than a celebrity car. It is a reminder of where he came from and a piece of the Volkswagen story he plans to keep in the family.

Danny Bonaduce standing beside his red Karmann Ghia convertible in front of a Spanish style building in Palm Springs

Lineup of classic Volkswagen Beetles parked on grass at VW Legends 2026, showing a mix of bright colours and well maintained vintage cars under sunny skies

VW Legends 2026 - A Celebration of the Volkswagen Family

VW Legends 2026 brought a new Volkswagen tradition to life at the Plunkett Estate in London, Ontario. On August 29th, the grounds filled with air-cooled heritage, water-cooled creativity and the broader Volkswagen Group family, all gathered in a peaceful, welcoming setting that captured the spirit organizers hoped to create. The day delivered everything enthusiasts love: classic style, community energy, family friendly fun and a festival atmosphere that made VW Legends feel like a show built to last.

Last air cooled Volkswagen Kombi built in Brazil, shown at a port ramp before export

The Samba's Last Stand: Brazil and the End of the Air-Cooled Era

The Samba’s Last Stand marked the final chapter of the air cooled era. In December 2013 the last Kombi left the Brazilian assembly line, ending a production run that outlasted every other country in the world. Brazil had been the final guardian of the rear engine design, keeping the classic bus alive through decades of change. Its retirement closed a historic story of durability, culture and engineering that shaped generations. The legend may have left the factory floor, but it remains very much alive on the road.