Antique VW Bug Brochure

[RRoller123]

Look what I found when cleaning out our library in preparation for our move next week. This 8 page VW Bug brochure was 1 of many items that my dad brought back from WWII while stationed in Germany. I can't find a date on it, but he was in Europe in 1944 and 1945, and particularly, in Germany in 1945. I assume that it is from right around that time. Maybe someone who reads German can find a clue in the text. Good condition, and probably quite valuable (?) I will likely sell it.

[So Cal Mark]

very cool. Interesting how that first pic looks so much like the new Beetle. I don't remember the originals looking so stretched and low as the pics show

[RRoller123]

I did some searching and it appears that it is from the 1930's. There was an auction held for a copy in 2010, but it didn't sell. This is the 8 page with authentic rear cover as they describe. My Dad brought back dozens of items, many of which I have already sold to the military collectors. I still have a lot of stuff though, but hadn't come across this piece before.

http://www.classic-auctions.com/Auction ... 31839.aspx

[bradartigue]

1938. What you have is the first brochure of the first model of the bug, or KdF Wagen. Complete with a swastika and a little kid pulling a cannon on a string. The Samba has some images scanned in: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/lit/38kdf.php

The Kraft durch Freude Wagen...Strength through Happiness (or Joy) Wagen.

By 1945 they had done away with the old logo having the swastika in the gear and replaced it with a more friendly VW emblem. It is challenging to think that in the 1930's the logo wouldn't have bothered many people:

[Ramzi]

There is a great Top Gear episode which covers the KDF. And the rest of the VW story.

[spiderdan]

There is a great Top Gear episode

OLD TOP GEAR (1995) V.W. BEETLE
"ANDY WILMAN EXPLAINS IN THIS SECTION HOW BRITISH FORCES IN WW2 HELPED TO SAVE THE V.W. BEETLE FACTORY FROM DESTRUCTION DUE TO ADOLF HITLER USING IT TO MAKE MILITARY EQUIPMENT & THE ALLIED FORCES SAYING SUCH FACTORIES WERE TO BE FLATTENED. WATCH THE VIDEO FOR THE REST OF WHAT IS AN AMAZING TRUE STORY."

https://youtu.be/Kf8d_2YsEOk

[rocketmonkey101]

Hit up thesamba.com those guys can give you an idea on value.

[RRoller123]

Brochure has been sold to a lucky new owner for continued preservation. But for anyone interested in collecting WWII memorabilia, I have a lot of other stuff that I plan to scan and post on Ebay, etc. Just PM me if interested. have propaganda literature, Iron Crosses, etc.