Volkswagen Beetle I (Typ 1) photos

1938 — 2003 · sedan, convertible
2
photos
44
specifications
24–50
hp

About this generation

The original Volkswagen Beetle (Typ 1) became the longest-running and most manufactured car of a single platform in history.

The original Volkswagen Beetle (Typ 1 / Käfer) was designed by Ferdinand Porsche in the 1930s. Its mechanical concept was built around a central backbone chassis, a rear-mounted air-cooled flat-four engine, and rear-wheel drive. The iconic rounded silhouette became a globally recognized cultural icon. Available body formats included a two-door sedan and a Karmann-built convertible.

Air-cooled engine displacements expanded over the decades from 1.0 to 1.6 liters. Over its 65-year production history—concluding in Puebla, Mexico in July 2003—a record total of 21,529,464 Beetle units were manufactured.

Specifications

44 in 2 body styles

Sedan Typ 11 26 specifications

4070 mm160.2 in
Length
1540 mm60.6 in
Width
1500 mm59.1 in
Height
2400 mm94.5 in
Wheelbase
140 l4.9 cu ft
Trunk
150 mm5.9 in
Ground clearance
Petrol
1000
24hp(18 kW)
1.0 l 4-speed manual RWD
1938–1945
Torque
67 Nm (49 lb-ft)
Top speed
100 km/h (62 mph)
Displacement
985 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
60
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
750 kg (1653 lb)
Fuel tank
40 l (10.6 gal US)
1100
24hp(18 kW)
1.1 l 4-speed manual RWD
1945–1953
Torque
67 Nm (49 lb-ft)
Top speed
105 km/h (65 mph)
Displacement
1131 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
11
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
720 kg (1587 lb)
Fuel tank
40 l (10.6 gal US)
1200
30hp(22 kW)
1.2 l 4-speed manual RWD
1953–1965
Torque
75 Nm (55 lb-ft)
Top speed
112 km/h (70 mph)
Displacement
1192 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
1200
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
730 kg (1609 lb)
Fuel tank
40 l (10.6 gal US)
1200
34hp(25 kW)
1.2 l 4-speed manual RWD
1960–1985
Torque
82 Nm (60 lb-ft)
Top speed
115 km/h (71 mph)
Displacement
1192 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
D
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
740 kg (1631 lb)
Fuel tank
40 l (10.6 gal US)
1303 A
34hp(25 kW)
1.2 l 4-speed manual RWD
1972–1975
Torque
74 Nm (55 lb-ft)
Top speed
115 km/h (71 mph)
Displacement
1192 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
D
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
870 kg (1918 lb)
Fuel tank
42 l (11.1 gal US)
1300
39hp(29 kW)
1.3 l 4-speed manual RWD
1965–1970
Torque
87 Nm (64 lb-ft)
Top speed
120 km/h (75 mph)
Displacement
1285 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
F
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
780 kg (1720 lb)
Fuel tank
40 l (10.6 gal US)
1300
39hp(29 kW)
1.3 l 3-speed automatic RWD
1968–1970
Torque
87 Nm (64 lb-ft)
Top speed
117 km/h (73 mph)
Displacement
1285 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
F
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
800 kg (1764 lb)
Fuel tank
40 l (10.6 gal US)
1500
43hp(32 kW)
1.5 l 4-speed manual RWD
1966–1970
Torque
100 Nm (74 lb-ft)
Top speed
125 km/h (78 mph)
Displacement
1493 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
H
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
840 kg (1852 lb)
Fuel tank
40 l (10.6 gal US)
1500
43hp(32 kW)
1.5 l 3-speed automatic RWD
1967–1970
Torque
100 Nm (74 lb-ft)
Top speed
122 km/h (76 mph)
Displacement
1493 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
H
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
860 kg (1896 lb)
Fuel tank
40 l (10.6 gal US)
1300
43hp(32 kW)
1.3 l 4-speed manual RWD
1970–1973
Torque
86 Nm (63 lb-ft)
Top speed
125 km/h (78 mph)
Displacement
1285 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
AB
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
820 kg (1808 lb)
Fuel tank
40 l (10.6 gal US)
1300
43hp(32 kW)
1.3 l 3-speed automatic RWD
1970–1973
Torque
86 Nm (63 lb-ft)
Top speed
122 km/h (76 mph)
Displacement
1285 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
AB
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
840 kg (1852 lb)
Fuel tank
40 l (10.6 gal US)
1300
43hp(32 kW)
1.3 l 4-speed manual RWD
1973–1975
Torque
86 Nm (63 lb-ft)
Top speed
125 km/h (78 mph)
Displacement
1285 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
AR
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
820 kg (1808 lb)
Fuel tank
42 l (11.1 gal US)
1302
43hp(32 kW)
1.3 l 4-speed manual RWD
1970–1972
Torque
86 Nm (63 lb-ft)
Top speed
125 km/h (78 mph)
Displacement
1285 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
AB
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
870 kg (1918 lb)
Fuel tank
42 l (11.1 gal US)
1302
43hp(32 kW)
1.3 l 3-speed automatic RWD
1970–1972
Torque
86 Nm (63 lb-ft)
Top speed
122 km/h (76 mph)
Displacement
1285 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
AB
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
890 kg (1962 lb)
Fuel tank
42 l (11.1 gal US)
1303
43hp(32 kW)
1.3 l 4-speed manual RWD
1972–1973
Torque
86 Nm (63 lb-ft)
Top speed
125 km/h (78 mph)
Displacement
1285 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
AB
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
890 kg (1962 lb)
Fuel tank
42 l (11.1 gal US)
1303
43hp(32 kW)
1.3 l 4-speed manual RWD
1973–1975
Torque
86 Nm (63 lb-ft)
Top speed
125 km/h (78 mph)
Displacement
1285 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
AR
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
890 kg (1962 lb)
Fuel tank
42 l (11.1 gal US)
1600
46hp(34 kW)
1.6 l 4-speed manual RWD
1978–1992
Torque
100 Nm (74 lb-ft)
Top speed
125 km/h (78 mph)
Displacement
1584 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
B
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
820 kg (1808 lb)
Fuel tank
40 l (10.6 gal US)
1600i
46hp(34 kW)
1.6 l 4-speed manual RWD
1992–2003
Torque
100 Nm (74 lb-ft)
Top speed
130 km/h (81 mph)
Displacement
1584 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
ACD
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
830 kg (1830 lb)
Fuel tank
40 l (10.6 gal US)
1302 S
50hp(37 kW)
1.6 l 4-speed manual RWD
1970–1972
Torque
106 Nm (78 lb-ft)
Top speed
130 km/h (81 mph)
Displacement
1584 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
AD
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
890 kg (1962 lb)
Fuel tank
42 l (11.1 gal US)
1302 S
50hp(37 kW)
1.6 l 3-speed automatic RWD
1970–1972
Torque
106 Nm (78 lb-ft)
Top speed
127 km/h (79 mph)
Displacement
1584 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
AD
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
910 kg (2006 lb)
Fuel tank
42 l (11.1 gal US)
1303 S
50hp(37 kW)
1.6 l 4-speed manual RWD
1972–1973
Torque
106 Nm (78 lb-ft)
Top speed
135 km/h (84 mph)
Displacement
1584 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
AD
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
890 kg (1962 lb)
Fuel tank
42 l (11.1 gal US)
1303 S
50hp(37 kW)
1.6 l 3-speed automatic RWD
1972–1973
Torque
106 Nm (78 lb-ft)
Top speed
130 km/h (81 mph)
Displacement
1584 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
AD
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
910 kg (2006 lb)
Fuel tank
42 l (11.1 gal US)
1303 S
50hp(37 kW)
1.6 l 4-speed manual RWD
1973–1975
Torque
106 Nm (78 lb-ft)
Top speed
135 km/h (84 mph)
Displacement
1584 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
AS
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
890 kg (1962 lb)
Fuel tank
42 l (11.1 gal US)
1303 S
50hp(37 kW)
1.6 l 3-speed automatic RWD
1973–1975
Torque
106 Nm (78 lb-ft)
Top speed
130 km/h (81 mph)
Displacement
1584 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
AS
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
910 kg (2006 lb)
Fuel tank
42 l (11.1 gal US)
1600
50hp(37 kW)
1.6 l 4-speed manual RWD
1970–1973
Torque
106 Nm (78 lb-ft)
Top speed
135 km/h (84 mph)
Displacement
1584 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
AD
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
870 kg (1918 lb)
Fuel tank
40 l (10.6 gal US)
1600
50hp(37 kW)
1.6 l 4-speed manual RWD
1973–1979
Torque
106 Nm (78 lb-ft)
Top speed
135 km/h (84 mph)
Displacement
1584 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
AS
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
870 kg (1918 lb)
Fuel tank
40 l (10.6 gal US)

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Cabriolet Typ 15 18 specifications

4070 mm160.2 in
Length
1540 mm60.6 in
Width
1500 mm59.1 in
Height
2400 mm94.5 in
Wheelbase
140 l4.9 cu ft
Trunk
150 mm5.9 in
Ground clearance
Petrol
1100
24hp(18 kW)
1.1 l 4-speed manual RWD
1949–1953
Torque
67 Nm (49 lb-ft)
Top speed
100 km/h (62 mph)
Displacement
1131 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
11
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
780 kg (1720 lb)
Fuel tank
40 l (10.6 gal US)
1200
30hp(22 kW)
1.2 l 4-speed manual RWD
1953–1965
Torque
75 Nm (55 lb-ft)
Top speed
110 km/h (68 mph)
Displacement
1192 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
1200
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
800 kg (1764 lb)
Fuel tank
40 l (10.6 gal US)
1200
34hp(25 kW)
1.2 l 4-speed manual RWD
1960–1970
Torque
74 Nm (55 lb-ft)
Top speed
115 km/h (71 mph)
Displacement
1192 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
D
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
820 kg (1808 lb)
Fuel tank
40 l (10.6 gal US)
1300
39hp(29 kW)
1.3 l 4-speed manual RWD
1965–1970
Torque
87 Nm (64 lb-ft)
Top speed
120 km/h (75 mph)
Displacement
1285 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
F
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
840 kg (1852 lb)
Fuel tank
40 l (10.6 gal US)
1300
39hp(29 kW)
1.3 l 3-speed automatic RWD
1968–1970
Torque
87 Nm (64 lb-ft)
Top speed
117 km/h (73 mph)
Displacement
1285 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
F
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
890 kg (1962 lb)
Fuel tank
40 l (10.6 gal US)
1500
43hp(32 kW)
1.5 l 4-speed manual RWD
1966–1970
Torque
100 Nm (74 lb-ft)
Top speed
125 km/h (78 mph)
Displacement
1493 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
H
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
880 kg (1940 lb)
Fuel tank
40 l (10.6 gal US)
1500
43hp(32 kW)
1.5 l 3-speed automatic RWD
1967–1970
Torque
100 Nm (74 lb-ft)
Top speed
122 km/h (76 mph)
Displacement
1493 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
H
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
900 kg (1984 lb)
Fuel tank
40 l (10.6 gal US)
1302
43hp(32 kW)
1.3 l 4-speed manual RWD
1970–1972
Torque
86 Nm (63 lb-ft)
Top speed
125 km/h (78 mph)
Displacement
1285 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
AB
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
920 kg (2028 lb)
Fuel tank
40 l (10.6 gal US)
1302
43hp(32 kW)
1.3 l 3-speed automatic RWD
1970–1972
Torque
86 Nm (63 lb-ft)
Top speed
122 km/h (76 mph)
Displacement
1285 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
AB
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
940 kg (2072 lb)
Fuel tank
40 l (10.6 gal US)
1303
43hp(32 kW)
1.3 l 4-speed manual RWD
1972–1973
Torque
86 Nm (63 lb-ft)
Top speed
125 km/h (78 mph)
Displacement
1285 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
AB
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
930 kg (2050 lb)
Fuel tank
40 l (10.6 gal US)
1303
43hp(32 kW)
1.3 l 4-speed manual RWD
1973–1975
Torque
86 Nm (63 lb-ft)
Top speed
125 km/h (78 mph)
Displacement
1285 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
AR
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
940 kg (2072 lb)
Fuel tank
40 l (10.6 gal US)
1302 S
50hp(37 kW)
1.6 l 4-speed manual RWD
1970–1972
Torque
106 Nm (78 lb-ft)
Top speed
130 km/h (81 mph)
Displacement
1584 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
AD
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
930 kg (2050 lb)
Fuel tank
40 l (10.6 gal US)
1302 S
50hp(37 kW)
1.6 l 3-speed automatic RWD
1970–1972
Torque
106 Nm (78 lb-ft)
Top speed
127 km/h (79 mph)
Displacement
1584 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
AD
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
950 kg (2094 lb)
Fuel tank
40 l (10.6 gal US)
1303 S
50hp(37 kW)
1.6 l 4-speed manual RWD
1972–1973
Torque
106 Nm (78 lb-ft)
Top speed
130 km/h (81 mph)
Displacement
1584 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
AD
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
940 kg (2072 lb)
Fuel tank
40 l (10.6 gal US)
1303 S
50hp(37 kW)
1.6 l 3-speed automatic RWD
1972–1973
Torque
106 Nm (78 lb-ft)
Top speed
127 km/h (79 mph)
Displacement
1584 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
AD
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
960 kg (2116 lb)
Fuel tank
40 l (10.6 gal US)
1303 S
50hp(37 kW)
1.6 l 4-speed manual RWD
1973–1980
Torque
106 Nm (78 lb-ft)
Top speed
130 km/h (81 mph)
Displacement
1584 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
AS
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
940 kg (2072 lb)
Fuel tank
40 l (10.6 gal US)
1303 S
50hp(37 kW)
1.6 l 3-speed automatic RWD
1973–1975
Torque
106 Nm (78 lb-ft)
Top speed
127 km/h (79 mph)
Displacement
1584 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
AS
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
960 kg (2116 lb)
Fuel tank
40 l (10.6 gal US)
1303
50hp(37 kW)
1.6 l 4-speed manual RWD
1975–1980
Torque
101 Nm (74 lb-ft)
Top speed
130 km/h (81 mph)
Displacement
1584 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
AJ
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
950 kg (2094 lb)
Fuel tank
40 l (10.6 gal US)

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