Deutsche Bundesbahn Class 10 steam locomotive pulling an express, passes a double-deck Volkswagen transport train under the Raabe Bridge in Kassel-KirchditmoldDeutsche Bundesbahn Class 10 steam locomotive pulling an express, passes a double-deck Volkswagen transport train under the Raabe Bridge in Kassel-Kirchditmold

A fully packed employee's parking lot at Volkswagenwerk Kassel, around 1963 or 1964A fully packed employee's parking lot at Volkswagenwerk Kassel, around 1963 or 1964

Bodies are dipped into the primer bath at the Anchieta plant of Volkswagen do Brasil in São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, in the 1960sBodies are dipped into the primer bath at the Anchieta plant of Volkswagen do Brasil in São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, in the 1960s

Volkswagen Type 2 'Barndoor' models in various stages of production in early 1953 at WolfsburgVolkswagen Type 2 'Barndoor' models in various stages of production in early 1953 at Wolfsburg

It was the ambition of Major Ivan Hirst, the Senior Resident Officer of the Volkswagen plant, known at the time as Wolfsburg Motor Works, to increase production to 1,000 cars a month.It was the ambition of Major Ivan Hirst, the Senior Resident Officer of the Volkswagen plant, known at the time as Wolfsburg Motor Works, to increase production to 1,000 cars a month

Photo shows the new car parking yard at Wilhelm Karmann in Osnabrück where we see a colourful assortment of Type 14 and Type 34 Karmann Ghias, plus a few Beetle convertibles about to depart on a train for distribution far and widePhoto shows the new car parking yard at Wilhelm Karmann in Osnabrück where we see a colourful assortment of Type 14 and Type 34 Karmann Ghias, plus a few Beetle convertibles about to depart on a train for distribution far and wide

Workers at the Karmann plant are busy with a Type 34 Karmann GhiaWorkers at the Karmann plant are busy with a coach built Type 34 Karmann Ghia

A new VW Type 3 Notchback is hoisted off a cargo ship in Norway for onward transport by the official VW importer and distributor Harald A MøllerA new VW Type 3 Notchback is hoisted off a cargo ship in Norway for onward transport by the official VW importer and distributor Harald A Møller

This very colourful scene shows 1968 Model Year Volkswagens emerging from final assembly Hall 12 at Wolfsburg on the two automated conveyor ramps on the north side (rear) of the factory.  Once at the bottom, drivers would jump into the cars, start the engines and drive them to the holding area for onward transit to dealers and ports by train and truck. 1968 Model Year Volkswagens emerging from final assembly Hall 12 at Wolfsburg on the two automated conveyor ramps on the north side of the factory. Once at the bottom, drivers would jump into the cars, start the engines and drive them to the holding area for onward transit to dealers and ports by train and truck.

New Volkswagens wait on a double-deck rail wagon in a train yard somewhere in Germany - possibly Wolfsburg - in the mid-1960sNew Volkswagens wait on a double-deck rail wagon in a train yard somewhere in Germany - possibly Wolfsburg - in the mid-1960s

Done and dusted:  Another Volkswagen is ready to roll from the end of Line 1 in final assembly Hall 12 at the factory in Wolfsburg in this colour view from 1958Done and dusted: Another Volkswagen is ready to roll from the end of Line 1 in final assembly Hall 12 at the factory in Wolfsburg in this colour view from 1958

A nicely dressed lady is talking to the truck driver. The truck is outside an AMAG building, the importer of VWs to Switzerland. This photo is from the 1950s, as the Beetles has an oval rear windowA nicely dressed lady is talking to the truck driver. The truck is outside an AMAG building, the importer of VWs to Switzerland. This photo is from the 1950s, as the Beetles has an oval rear window

brightly painted 1967 model year bodies suspended from overhead conveyor chains moving through a busy intersection in a production hall at Volkswagenwerk WolfsburgBrightly painted 1967 model year bodies suspended from overhead conveyor chains moving through a busy intersection in a production hall at Volkswagenwerk Wolfsburg

Type 1 and 2 final assembly lines in the mid-1950s at D'leteren in Brussels (Volkswagen Brussels from 1970) in the Vorst (Forest) district of the city.Type 1 and 2 final assembly lines in the mid-1950s at D'leteren in Brussels (Volkswagen Brussels from 1970) in the Vorst (Forest) district of the city

Karmann Ghia do Brasil produced this model of Ghia from 1962 to 1972 with 23,402 examples rolling from the assembly lines, including 177 convertiblesKarmann Ghia do Brasil produced this model of Ghia from 1962 to 1972 with 23,402 examples rolling from the assembly lines, including 177 convertibles

An export Beetle gets a windshield clean on the assembly line at WOB in 1950

A long line of new cars await onward transport in the new vehicle holding yard at the Volkswagen de Mexico plant in Puebla in the early 1990sA long line of new cars await onward transport in the new vehicle holding yard at the Volkswagen de Mexico plant in Puebla in the early 1990s

The first deliveries took place of Volkswagen's Type 147 Kleinlieferwagen on 9 March 1965. Nicknamed 'Fridolin' the van was developed specially for use by Deutsche Bundespost and mechanically based on the Type 1 using the slightly wider Karmann Ghia chassisThe first deliveries took place of Volkswagen's Type 147 Kleinlieferwagen on 9 March 1965. Nicknamed 'Fridolin' the van was developed specially for use by Deutsche Bundespost and mechanically based on the Type 1 using the slightly wider Karmann Ghia chassis

Stacking freshly stamped front lids at Volkswagenwerk Wolfsburg in 1949Stacking freshly stamped front lids at Volkswagenwerk Wolfsburg in 1949

Workers are busy with loading Beetles on a cargo ship. Even though RoRo ships had been introduced more than 10 years earlier, many ships were still loading the old fashioned wayWorkers are busy with loading Beetles on a cargo ship. Even though RoRo ships had been introduced more than 10 years earlier, many ships were still loading the old fashioned way

Images courtesy of Volkswagen Factory Pictures

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