VW bus in two-color paint finish during installation of the interior. Wolfsburg, 1955.Volkswagen Bus in two-color paint finish during installation of the interior, Wolfsburg 1955.

75 years ago: The workforce at Volkswagenwerk Wolfsburg celebrated in February 1951 as Transporter number 10.000 rolled from the production line. 75 years ago: The workforce at Volkswagenwerk Wolfsburg celebrated in February 1951 as Transporter number 10.000 rolled from the production line.

A group of Volkswagen 1500s on the test track in Wolfsburg. This test track was located on the factory premises, to the north-west of the main factory building. Even though most testing was moved in the 1970s, to the much larger test track area at Ehra-Lessien, around 20 kilometers north of Wolfsburg, the old track is still present today. A group of Volkswagen Type 3 1500s on the test track in Wolfsburg. This test track was located on the factory premises, to the north-west of the main factory building. Even though most testing was moved in the 1970s, to the much larger test track area at Ehra-Lessien, around 20 kilometers north of Wolfsburg, the old track is still present today.

The Volkswagen Karmann Ghia, developed in close cooperation with Wilhelm Karmann GmbH from Osnabrück, has become an icon of elegant sportiness. Production of this design classic came to an end in 1974 after 485,964 coupés and convertiblesThe Volkswagen Karmann Ghia, developed in close cooperation with Wilhelm Karmann GmbH from Osnabrück, has become an icon of elegant sportiness. Production of this design classic came to an end in 1974 after 485,964 coupés and convertibles.

A man is working on the sunroof mechanism on this 1965 or 1966 Beetle at the D'Ieteren factory in Forest, Brussels, Belgium. This factory was closed down in February 2025, after 75 years of making cars.A man is working on the sunroof mechanism on this 1965 or 1966 Beetle at the D'Ieteren factory in Forest, Brussels, Belgium. This factory was closed down in February 2025, after 75 years of making cars.

Finished engines at VW Hannover. Notice that the Transporter engines, easily recognized by only one outlet for a tailpipe, are of the new engine type, with the separated generator stand. This dates the photo to 1960, as the T1 received the new type engine earlier than the Beetle. Finished engines at VW Hannover. Notice that the Transporter engines, easily recognized by only one outlet for a tailpipe, are of the new engine type, with the separated generator stand. This dates the photo to 1960, as the T1 received the new type engine earlier than the Beetle.

Beetles and Kabrioletts, with their distinctive covers, being loaded on to a ship at the port of Hamburg. The train ran directly to the docks.Beetles and Kabrioletts, with their distinctive covers, being loaded on to a ship at the port of Hamburg. The train ran directly to the docks.

Two VW workers with the inner roof section and side panel welding jig on a Split window body.Two VW workers with the inner roof section and side panel welding jig on a Split window body.

Brazilian T1.5 Kombis, in a lovely blue colour. I never knew that these Kombis had the VW logo pressed in the sheet metal, I thought that they had an attached emblem, just like the German version did.Brazilian T1.5 Kombis, in a lovely blue colour. These Kombis had the VW logo pressed into the sheet metal and not the chrome attached emblem like the German version did.

Front and rear fenders are passing the body assembly line in Wolfsburg, while a worker is doing the final touches to a right hand door.Front and rear fenders are passing the body assembly line in Wolfsburg, while a worker is doing the final touches to a right hand door.

Beetle bodyshells are transported on a chain conveyor to the paint line at Volkswagen Emden in the late 1960s. At this time 1,000 cars a day were being produced at the plant. Image courtesy of Volkswagen Emden Corporate Communications.Beetle bodyshells are transported on a chain conveyor to the paint line at Volkswagen Emden in the late 1960s. At this time 1,000 cars a day were being produced at the plant. Image courtesy of Volkswagen Emden Corporate Communications.

Several trains loaded with new Volkswagens await departure at the Verladebahnhof train loading depot on the north side of the Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg in the late 1950s Several trains loaded with new Volkswagens await departure at the Verladebahnhof train loading depot on the north side of the Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg in the late 1950s.

The last Beetle that was made by the Audi factory in Ingolstadt, Germany. The round sign says "Thank you for saving our life". The last Beetle that was made by the Audi factory in Ingolstadt, Germany. The round sign says "Thank you for saving our life". The Beetle gave work to the employees in the Bavarian city, keeping them afloat while new Audi models were being developed.

The new vehicle departure yard at the port of Ramsgate in Kent, southeast England, in 1965, full of right-hand drive Volkswagens.The new vehicle departure yard at the port of Ramsgate in Kent, southeast England, in 1965, full of right-hand drive Volkswagens.

Swedish cargo ship MS Clary Thordén is pictured loading Volkswagen Beetles and Type 2 Barndoor Transporters from Deutsche Bundesbahn rail wagons at a snow-covered West German port during early 1955Swedish cargo ship MS Clary Thordén is pictured loading Volkswagen Beetles and Type 2 Barndoor Transporters from Deutsche Bundesbahn rail wagons at a snow-covered West German port during early 1955.

A long line of Volkswagen Type 3 1500 models get a final inspection and a window clean under the bright lights of the final assembly hall at Wolfsburg sometime between introduction in 1961 and mid-1964. A long line of Volkswagen Type 3 1500 models get a final inspection and a window clean under the bright lights of the final assembly hall at Wolfsburg sometime between introduction in 1961 and mid-1964.

New T2 Transporters being converted into campers at the Dormobile factory in Folkstone, Kent, on the south-east coast of England. The first VW-based Dormobiles appeared in 1961 and the company still sell motor homes based on the VW Transporter todayNew T2 Transporters being converted into campers at the Dormobile factory in Folkstone, Kent, on the south-east coast of England. The first VW-based Dormobiles appeared in 1961 and the company still sell motor homes based on the VW Transporter today.

Transporter body assembly at Volkswagenwerk HannoverTransporter body assembly at Volkswagenwerk Hannover.

A colourful scene with two special limited edition Jeans Beetles in the final assembly hall of either Volkswagen Wolfsburg, or possibly at Volkswagen Brussels which were the two factories that produced this edition for the 1974 model yearA colourful scene with two special limited edition Jeans Beetles in the final assembly hall of either Volkswagen Wolfsburg, or possibly at Volkswagen Brussels which were the two factories that produced this edition for the 1974 model year.

Sparks fly as Beetle bodyshells mounted transversely on a transfer line are welded by hand at the front and rear in 1952Sparks fly as Beetle bodyshells mounted transversely on a transfer line are welded by hand at the front and rear in 1952.

Images courtesy of Volkswagen Factory Pictures

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