The original concept for the Volkswagen was introduced by Ferdinand Porsche in 1934. By 1939, prototypes had been built and a factory was nearing completion but, with the outbreak of war, the factory was converted to making munitions. In 1943, vehicle production commenced but it was halted again in 1944 because of bomb damage to the factory and shortage of petrol.

At the end of the War, the Volkswagen factory came under the control of the British Army who decided to restart production as a means of normalising life in the region. By 1949, when Volkswagen was handed back to Germany, it was producing more than 46,000 cars a year.

The "Beetles" produced immediately after the War had a split rear screen, cable-operated brakes and an 1100cc engine giving a top speed of just 63 mph.

1953 saw the introduction of a 1192cc motor and a single oval rear screen. (The cable-operated brakes had already given way to hydraulics.) 1953 was also the year of the first official Volkswagen imports into Australia; assembly in Australia began in 1954 with up to 80% Australian parts being used in the early sixties. Assembly in Australia ended in 1975.

In 1957, the oval rear screen was replaced by a rectangular one and a larger front window was introduced.

In 1961, handling deficiencies were addressed with a front anti-roll bar and a revised rear suspension; engine capacity was increased to 1255cc and a fuel gauge was included for the first time. In 1967, to conform to US safety regulations, lights and bumpers were repositioned. In 1970, a 1500cc engine was introduced and the front suspension was changed to MacPherson struts.

Despite having had only these minor changes, the Beetle's biggest sales year came in 1971 - 37 years after its original design. - when 1,291,612 Beetles were built.