carsvans
Volkswagen
Germany · Founded 1937
The people's car. From Nazi-era origins to counterculture icon, VW became synonymous with simple, honest transportation.
Heritage
The Beetle was designed as cheap transportation for the masses under Nazi Germany, but became something far more interesting in America. The air-cooled engine, the friendly shape, the anti-establishment vibe — VW accidentally created the car that defined the counterculture. The Bus extended that ethos into a lifestyle vehicle. Even as VW went upmarket with water-cooled cars, the air-cooled originals retained their cult status.