Volkswagen Beetles And Buses: Smaller And Smarter

Volkswagen Beetles And Buses: Smaller And Smarter

This illustrated history celebrates the 75th and 70th anniversaries of?olkswagen's two most iconic vehicles, from the first Beetles spearheaded by Ferdinand Porsche in the 1940s to the buses that became synonymous with a generation. Volkswagen is one of the most beloved brands in motoring history, thanks largely to twoinstantly recognizable vehicles: the Beetle (a.k.a.?ug) and the Bus. More than23 million VW Beetles have buzzed into the world since 1945, while the VW Bus presaged the minivan by thirty-plus years.Volkswagen: Beetles?nd Buses examines and celebrates all aspects of the vehicles and the many cultural associations that have swirled around them for more than seven decades. The diminutive rear-engined and easily mass-produced Beetle became themost popular imported car in America during the 1960s. Its success was due to its familiar face, its wildlyclever ad campaigns, and the sheer numbers produced. The equally compact yet spacious Bus (a.k.a.Kombi,Microbus,Type 2,Transporter, and simply ?van?) has won millions of fans around the world with its practicality, simplicity, and design. In this beautifully illustrated and authoritatively written celebration, author Russell Hayes?ooks back at the vehicles while focusing on the classic air-cooled VWs that ran into the late 1970s. Along the way, readers witness the Beetle and Bus at work and at play and learn about vehicle development and growingroles in popular culture, including star appearances in films likeThe Love Bug, Little Miss Sunshine, Footloose, Fight Club, The Big Lebowski, andFast Times at Ridgemont High, as well as television shows likeLost andOnce Upon a Time and on the covers of the Beatles?Abbey Road and Bob Dylan?sFreewheelin? album. The story is brought up to date with coverage of theNew Beetle and plans for theVW Buzz, a modern electric version of the iconicMicrobus due in 2022.Volkswagen: Beetles?nd Buses deserves a place in the motoring libraries of?W owners, automotive enthusiasts, and those simply interested in pop culture. It's the ultimate illustrated history of these beloved vehicles.Review"The book is a pleasant, fun read chockablock with wonderful illustrations, many of which we?ve never seen before, and the photos and text that will teach you many interesting facts and tidbits that you probably didn?t already know-it did for me-about two seemingly simple vehicles that literally changed the world." - JoeFaraceShootsCars.comAbout the AuthorRussell Hayes divides his time between writing (mostly on classic car and consumer subjects) and TV production (he has worked on Top Gear and Driven).