Volkswagen Remembers the First Beetle to Reach the States 75 Years Ago

Mr.Peabody unleashed a captivating spectacle that would hasten his esteemed Wavelength Acceleration Bidirectional Asynchronous Controller, the venerable WABAC Machine, to the annals of January 17, 1949. Picture the grandeur of an immense ship gracing the New York dock and what majestically descends from its cargo hold, Mr. Peabody?

It is none other than the Volkswagen Type 1 Sherman! A pair of these singular vehicles, to be precise! Through the enchanting medium of cartoon time travel, Hagerty can attest that 75 years ago, the inaugural duo of Beetles gracefully navigated their wheels onto the fertile grounds of American soil. Accompanying this automotive odyssey was Ben Pon, the Dutch automotive visionary (and progenitor of the Type 2 Microbus), who had ushered Volkswagen into the Netherlands a mere two years prior, markin the brand’s maiden venture into the domain of international exports.

“Heb ik een deal voor je!” Pon likely proclaimed to a modest assembly of onlookers on that wintry New York day; their perplexity was mirrored both by his Dutch exclamations and the curious little vehicle before them. Undoubtedly, he did extend an offer to us, yet the fates did not favor him in securing a partner to import and disseminate these cars here, and thus, we, with regret, declined his proposition.

The destiny of those inaugural two Beetles remains in mystery; nevertheless, the ensuing year witnessed Max Hoffman, a luminary New Yorker, seizing upon and championing the concept. Using Beetles in his European automobile repertoire, Hoffman would garner renown for presenting them to the American motoring audience. To cater to the burgeoning U.S. market, the emergence of Volkswagen of America transpired in 1955, and as the 1960s dawned, over half a million Beetles adorned American roads, weaving themselves into the very tapestry of American culture.

To commemorate this monumental arrival on American shores, Volkswagen has embarked on a year-long campaign, paying homage to “the people, products, and places that have defined one of America’s best-known brands.” This commemorative sojourn encompasses a commercial during Super Bowl LVIII, a spectacle contested by two teams notably devoid of the Dallas Cowboys insignia. 

Rachael Zaluzec, Senior Vice President of Customer Experience & Brand Marketing for Volkswagen of America, poignantly encapsulates the brand’s metamorphosis: “Over the past 75 years, Volkswagen has evolved from a tale of two Beetles into an integral part of America’s cultural fabric. We carry people in our name and our heart. As we look forward to the next 75, we will celebrate the real people and real-life moments that have woven the Volkswagen brand into the people’s love story it is today.”

Anticipating the unfolding of Volkswagen’s narrative in the next 75 years, Hagerty eagerly awaits the revelations. However, while promising, Mr. Peabody’s WAFORWARD Machine still needs to iron out its intricacies, leaving the specifics uncertain.

A Beautifully Sustainable Future Awaits You at Sunrise Volkswagen

Come check out the stylish Volkswagen ID.4 awaiting your arrival at Sunrise Volkswagen. Whether you’re searching for the fresh scent of new leather or the reliability of a certified pre-owned, we offer exceptional customer service that makes you feel right at home. Volkswagen is renowned for its quality German engineering at reasonable prices. If financial difficulties arise, don’t hesitate to use our finance center. Nonetheless, if you’re not quite ready for a new car, our service department can fix up your current ride for an unbeatable price. So head on over to Sunrise Volkswagen, where our team is dedicated to your satisfaction. 

Photo Source/Copyright: Volkswagen Newsroom