Heating at extra cost
11/27/2013
Today, it's hard to imagine that a manufacturer would dare to charge extra for heating in 2013, despite the long lists of surcharges. In 1955, however, this was still common practice. In around 50% of cars sold on the German market, the heating cost extra money. For Alfa Romeo it was around 280 DM, for Austin 120 DM, for Auto Union and Borgward 160 DM, for Chevrolet as much as 375 DM and finally for the Triumph TR 2 180 DM.
At least Porsche and Mercedes, as well as the Volkswagen factory, offered heating at no extra charge. And even in the small Lloyd, you didn't have to freeze if you wanted to save money.
Speaking of prices. For the Volkswagen Beetle with export equipment, you paid 4600 DM in 1955. The annual taxes back then were 173 DM, and the liability insurance was at least 160 DM. Yes, those were the days.
All of this can be found in the price list printed in" Auto-Parade - Die Automobile des Jahres 1956" . Incidentally, the 24-page magazine cost 50 pfennigs. And of course you can find it in the Zwischengas magazine archive.
