Volkswagen Factory Photos

A curated set of rare Volkswagen factory images showing Beetle, Bus, Ghia, and Type 3 production from the 1940s to the 1970s across historic VW plants.

Driverless Transporters on automated exit ramp at Hannover factoryDriverless Transporters move slowly down the automated conveyor exit ramp from the final assembly hall at Volkswagenwerk Hannover, passing photoelectric barriers and emergency stop controls at the base of the ramp. In the left background stands the factory power station, with the former main substation below and the steam boiler and generator house rising above it.

Heinrich Nordhoff at Wolfsburg departure yard in early 1960s Dr ing E h Heinrich Nordhoff, the first Generaldirektor of the Volkswagenwerk, is pictured in the grounds of the Wolfsburg factory in the new vehicle departure yard with the 1959 high rise administration building behind him. The early 1960s photo by Erich Lessing reflects the period when Nordhoff transformed Volkswagen into a global automotive leader after taking charge of the bombed out plant in 1948.

1968 Type 3 Fastback bodies in white on Wolfsburg conveyorVolkswagen Type 3 Fastback bodies in white are shown at Wolfsburg on 6 September 1968 as overhead chain conveyors deliver partially completed shells to the transfer line. The scene captures a key stage in Type 3 production where front and rear manual welding operations shaped each bodyshell before final assembly.

1962 Anchieta factory final assembly producing Fusca modelsFinal assembly hall at the Anchieta factory of Volkswagen do Brasil in 1962, showing Fusca production during one of its strongest early years. Over 3 million Beetles were built in Brazil from 1953 to 1986 and again from 1993 to 1996, making the Fusca a cornerstone of Brazilian automotive history.

Wolfsburg line workers posing during 1960 Beetle productionLine workers pause for a photo at Wolfsburg sometime during the 1960 model year, capturing a candid moment on the Beetle assembly line. The image reflects the people behind Volkswagen production during a period of rapid growth and rising global demand.

1953 Wolfsburg factory with Heizkraftwerk and VW logo A colourful 1953 view of the Volkswagen factory at Wolfsburg on the north bank of the Mittelland Canal, dominated by the Heizkraftwerk with its eight metres wide VW logo first added in 1950. The scene, taken from a Canadian Volkswagen sales brochure, shows the power station before its chimneys were added in 1961 and 1966.

Barndoor buses and Oval being loaded for transport in early 1953A rare period photo showing Barndoor buses and an Oval being loaded for transport sometime in March or June of 1953. It captures an early moment in Volkswagen history when these iconic models were prepared for delivery during the first years of Type 2 production.

Front and rear fenders move along an overhead conveyor on the Volkswagen Type 3 assembly line at Wolfsburg in 1966. The photo by Heinrich Heidersberger captures a precise moment in VW production history as the factory marks 60 years since this scene.

1969 delivery of new Volkswagens at dealership in Visp Switzerland1969 delivery of new Volkswagens arriving at a VW dealership in Visp, Valais, Switzerland. The photo captures a moment in Swiss VW history as fresh Type 1 and Type 2 models were unloaded for local customers during a strong era of Volkswagen growth.

T1 Transporters in final assembly at Volkswagenwerk Hannover in 1964T1 Combi and Panel van Transporters near completion during final assembly at Volkswagenwerk Hannover in September 1964. The Hannover Stöcken factory is marking its 70th anniversary, highlighting decades of Transporter production and VW commercial vehicle history.

Images courtesy of Volkswagen Factory Pictures

Next     >

Explore More Air-Cooled VW Sections