Everyone knows it, almost everyone has at least ridden in it as a passenger. The VW Beetle was the most successful and best-selling car of the post-war era. It was produced until 2003 and impressed with its durable nature and unique appearance. It goes without saying that there are many books about such a well-known and beloved car. There are dozens, and now another one from Prestel Verlag.
It is confidently called "The Book" and it comes across as classy and elegant. A Mexico Beetle from 1990 smiles on the cover and this photo already gives you an idea of what to expect.
Studio photos allow comparisons
The more than 400 studio photographs show 24 models - including the NSU Type 32 from 1934 and the Type 82 E, the combination of Kübelwagen and Beetle - beautifully illuminated from all sides.
Chronologically arranged, the development of the Beetle from the VW 38 (1938) to the Super Beetle and the Mexico Beetle can be followed very nicely. It's fun, because by comparing the details, you can see where the developers and designers have had a hand and where not.
But it's not just the Beetle development stages that can be seen, some offshoots have also been included, such as the Kübelwagen (Type 82), the Schwimmwagen (Type 166), the VW Bus Type 2, the Karmann-Ghia or the extremely rare Stoll Coupé.
Of course, there are quickly requests for other derivatives, such as the Hebmüller Cabriolet, the Rometsch Coupé/Cabriolet, the Buggy or other variations, but the focus of the book is clearly on the Beetle itself.
The story around it
The main part of the book, i.e. around 210 pages, is dedicated to the models portrayed, which are presented in strong images and with little text, as well as the technical data.
The first 50 pages or so summarize the history of the VW Beetle, while the last pages still have space for a brief data section with production figures, type numbers and chassis numbers (selection) on two pages.
Also of interest to restorers and owners are certainly pages 274 to 299, on which the various Beetle models are compared using detailed photos - engine compartments, wheels, dashboards, headlights, rear lights, interior mirrors, door handles, hood handles, front blinker lights and license plate lights. As the different model years are presented side by side, it is particularly fun to search for differences.
Well, why is the steering wheel on the right?
If you look carefully at the pictures in the book, you will notice that some of the VW Beetles from 1953 onwards are shown as right-hand drive models, which is striking for this original German product. The reason for this is quickly explained: the book was created for the English-speaking world. The original edition "Classic Beetle - A VW Celebration" was published in 2015.
A funny detail in passing: the decision was made (intentionally or unintentionally) to depict the VW Beetle 1303 S (page 246) upside down from the front. However, the supposed left-hand drive can be recognized as right-hand drive in the other pictures.
Not quite new
However, the traces of this Beetle book point even further back into the past. Back in 1998, the book "The Beetle. The comprehensive illustrated history of the world's most popular car" by the same author, but published by Karl Müller Verlag in Erlangen. Even the pictures were largely the same back then.
However, the earlier book was much shorter, partly because the layout combined many pictures on one page, which can now be found separately and in large format in the new edition.
In any case, a 19-year gap should ensure that a new clientele will enjoy the refreshed edition. It is a pity that the new book missed the opportunity to photograph one of the last Mexico Beetles built, for example, or to expand the selection of Beetle derivatives. The book would probably have simply become too thick (and too expensive).
At EUR 39.95 (in Germany), the 304-page book, which was printed in China, is not cheap, but not too expensive either. The quality and richness of detail of the pictures certainly make the book worth buying. The Beetle owner will hardly hesitate, the general car enthusiast will certainly have to compare the book with the other Beetle books before making up his mind.
Bibliographical details
- Title: VW Beetle - The book
- Author: Keith Seume
- Language: German
- Publisher: Prestel Verlag
- Edition: 1st edition 2017
- Format: Hardcover, 5.4 x 28.8 cm, 304 pages, around 400 color illustrations, Price: € 39.95 [D], € 41.10 [A], CHF 48.50 (recommended retail price)
- ISBN number: 978-3-7913-8326-2
- Buy/order: Online at amazon.de, online at Prestel Verlag or in relevant bookstores
