Here is the first book to showcase the new Beetle since its advent. The Volkswagen Beetle is one of the world's most beloved automobiles. The very mention of its name evokes fond recollections, from that "first car" to a road trip from one's youth. Today's new Beetle is drawing crowds whenever it pulls into a parking lot, and is so popular that new owners include celebrities like Jerry Seinfeld, Cindy Crawford, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Beetlemania explores our fascination with this lovable automobile icon, both past and present. In this graphic, colorful volume, author Kate McLeod shares the wealth of exciting inside information she collected from the Volkswagen company archives, including a rare interview with the Beetle's original designer. Filled with fascinating trivia and great four-color photography, both new and old, Beetlemania pays fond tribute to the Beetle in this fun, informative volume.
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The release of the new Volkswagen Beetle in 1998 triggered a new wave of enthusiasm for this most endearing of cars, and Beetlemania pays tribute to a worldwide love affair.
The book abounds with tidbits of Beetle trivia--for example, in Bournemouth, England, 103 students once squeezed themselves into a single Beetle, and secured a new record. (They also managed to drive the car for 15 feet!)
The birth of the Beetle is traced back to the Berlin Auto Show in 1933, and a historic meeting between Ferdinand Porsche and Adolph Hitler. As Porsche sketched his visions for a small car suitable for ordinary people, Hitler added his ideas. How many Beetle owners today realize the impact that this notorious dictator had on their beloved car?
The car's rise and fall is then charted, through war, economic slump, the swinging '60s, and beyond. An entire chapter is devoted to the new Beetles--first unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in 1994, and stopping traffic ever since.
Illustrated throughout with dozens of photographs, Beetlemania will delight Bug addicts everywhere.
From the Inside Flap
The Volkswagen Beetle is one of the world's most beloved icons, second only to the coca Cola Bottle in recognition around the globe. It seems as if everyone had a VW "Bug"-or had a friend who had one-and the very mention of its name elicits a smile. No wonder it is the best-selling car ever produced, with over 20 million sold world-wide.
Now it appears that lightening has struck twice. At the 1998 Detroit Auto Show, the audience stood 2,000-deep to witness Volkswagen's unveiling of the New Beetle. Before the car reached dealerships, the waiting list stretched four-months long. The list of celebrity purchasers ranges from Jerry Seinfeld to Cindy Crawford.
With the New Beetle drawing crowds every time it pulls into a parking lot and vintage Beetles more popular than ever with collectors, "Beetlemania" is the perfect companion volume for the first-time fan as well as the die-hard enthusiast. Filled with fascinating photographs-many of them from Volkswagen's own archives-this book provides a witty, yet authoritative history of the car that's captured the hearts of millions.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a great book!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Beetlemania: The Story of the Car That Captured the Hearts of Millions (Hardcover)
This book was a totally awesome book. The pictures were fantastic and the info. was very valuable. It gave me lots of ideas for my own '61. I would say this book is great for all readers, even non VW enthusiasts
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent, entertaining and well written story.,
By A Customer
This review is from: Beetlemania: The Story of the Car That Captured the Hearts of Millions (Hardcover)
I used to play tennis with a beetle owning friend. I picked up the book, not expecting much excitement, and was surprised at how compelling the history of the little car turns out to be. The story is so well told, and the writing so fine that even a person who usually prefers to take the bus, like me, is intriqued. As a post script, on a recent trip to California I had a ride in a bottle green beetle and it is a great car! So amazingly improved over the old models and sexy besides! I may buy one.
4.0 out of 5 stars
I love the car and really like the book,
By A Customer
This review is from: Beetlemania: The Story of the Car That Captured the Hearts of Millions (Hardcover)
I think this is a fun and clever book that's odd and colorful (sort of the way I feel about the car too.) It shows most of the model years, their differences, prototypes, even a few photos of engines, but it's all presented in a fun and very un-stuffy way. The book covers the original Beetle and it's culture and today's Beetle. It also shows how the new Beetle builds on the legacy of the original.
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