Conceived in 1930s Germany as a simple, affordable car for ordinary people, the Volkswagen Type 1 evolved into one of the world’s great motoring success stories. Its distinctive air-cooled rear-engine design proved remarkably durable, economical and easy to maintain, helping the Beetle find millions of owners across Europe, the Americas and beyond.

Production continued in various forms for more than six decades, as the Beetle progressed from practical family transport to a worldwide cultural icon. Ultimately overtaken by safer, more spacious and technologically advanced designs, production finally ended in Mexico in 2003 — closing an extraordinary chapter in automotive history.