Longest Run
06-04-2001, 12:17 AM
#2
I think that would have to be the Beetle bug - started in '38 (?), still produced in Mexico in close to its original form, but not available in the US.
[ 03-06-2001: Message edited by: billwagnon ]
[ 03-06-2001: Message edited by: billwagnon ]
06-05-2001, 11:31 AM
#5
quote - "As mentioned earlier, Porsche had already done quite in depth research for a people’s car for the Zündapp and NSU companies and this work provided a basis for Hitler’s newly commissioned car. Like the ‘Internet’ is a buzz word in the nineties, the magical word in the thirties, especially in the automotive world was ‘streamlined’. For several years, car designers had been experimenting with various styles of body and by now, there designs were making noticeable differences to the overall performance of vehicles. The Porsche company began to lay down serious designs in April 1934 and by June, they had produced a design utilising a central back bone chassis, a streamlined body and a rear mounted air cooled engine. The Führer approved. A contract was signed between Porsche and the German Automotive Industry for the development of a prototype.
By 1935 2 cars were being given extensive testing in The Black Forest and by late 1936 new and improved models were undergoing highly serious testing, covering some 400 miles a day. After 4 years of highly intensive testing and development, a design was finalised in early 1938 and in the month of May, the cornerstone of the factory which was to build these cars was laid by Hitler in a lavish ceremony."
The History of the VW Beetle
HISTORY OF THE VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE (TYPE 1)
1935: Dr. Ferdinand Porsche (Volkswagen AG's current chairman, Dr. Ferdinand Piëch, is the grandson of Dr. Porsche.) designs and builds the first Beetle prototype with the hope of creating a "people's car."
1936: Between October 22nd and December 22nd, three early Beetle prototypes set off on large-scale trials, each car covers approximately 30,000 miles, under the supervision of the German Automobile Industry Association. This was the VW 3 Series.
1937: Construction of the "VW 30" Series. The 30 cars in this series cover a total distance of 1.8 million miles (2.4 million kilometers) in the course of tests. The Volkswagen Beetle begins to take shape.
1938: The first Beetle in its final form is produced.
1945: By the end of WWII the Volkswagen factory is all but completely destroyed. The Allies help rebuild the factory and begin placing orders for the car. The British army orders 20,000 Volkswagens.
1946: Ten thousand and twenty Volkswagens produced in the course of the entire year. With so many vehicles being ordered and with spirits at Volkswagen on the rise the car is named the "Type 1" to signify a new start for the company.
1948: The first Beetle convertibles are produced by Hebmueller. A two seater, only 682 are built.
1949, January 8: On this day, two Volkswagen Beetles are shipped from the Netherlands. Their final destination, however, is the United States. They both sell for about $800 a piece. The original Beetles, which are simply referred to as Volkswagen sedans, are powered by 30HP engines.
1949, May 13: The 50,000th Volkswagen produced since the end of the WWII comes off of the assembly line. At the same time, the first production convertible Beetle is built at Karmann coach works in Osnabruck, Germany. It is to become the best selling convertible in the world selling a total of 330,281 units.
1949, June 1: The "Export Model" is introduced. This improved equipment model added chrome trim, new exterior colors and increased interior comfort.
1950: Hydraulic brakes are added. Ashtray added in front dash and right rear quarter panel.
1952: Glove compartment gets door, formerly an open space.
1953: Oval one-piece window replaces the split back window.
1954: Horsepower increased to 36HP. Starter button is now integrated with the ignition switch, formerly a separate button on the dashboard.
1955: The semaphore "idiot stick" turn indicators are replaced by modern, flashing indicators mounted low on the front and rear fenders. The 1,000,000th Volkswagen is produced. Volkswagen of America, Inc. is established in Englewood Cliffs, NJ as a sales and marketing subsidiary.
1956: Sunroof changed from a cloth fabric to a plastic fabric.
1958: Rear window and windshield enlarged for better visibility.
1960: In the summer of 1960, Volkswagen imports the 500,000th Beetle to the U.S.
1961: Horsepower increased to 40HP.
1962: Volkswagen's annual sales in America exceed 200,000 for the first time.
1964: Volkswagen begins producing cars in Mexico. A metal, sliding sunroof replaces the plastic fabric sunroof.
1965: Rear seat folds down to accommodate more luggage. Improved braking system makes for much shorter stops.
1966: Horsepower increased to 50HP. Hazard lights added.
1967: Horsepower increased to 53HP.
1968: The optional Automatic Stick Shift is introduced. Head restraints included on front seat backs. Collapsible steering column in the event of frontal impact.
1969: Rear defroster put into the rear window. Day/night rearview mirror added.
1970: Horsepower increased to 57HP. Buzzer sounds when door is opened and keys are left in the ignition. Lock on glove compartment door.
1971: Horsepower increased to 60HP. Memory switch turns off the headlights if the driver should forget them when he switches off the engine.
1972, February, 17: The 15,007,034th Beetle is built, making it the most produced car in history, overtaking the legendary Model T. The rear window is increased in size again.
1974, July, 1: The Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg ceases production of the Beetle after 30 years and 11,916,519 cars. Production of the Beetle in Europe continues in Emden and Brussels. Self restoring energy absorbing bumpers, and a twelve month, 20,000 mile warranty that even covers wear-and-tear items such as spark plugs are added.
1975: Electronic fuel injection system added, giving the Beetle an averaged 33 mpg on the highway.
1976: Metallic paint and sport style wheels add a touch of flair to the Beetle.
1977: The last of the Beetle sedans in the U.S. Cost: $3,599.
1978, January 19: The last Beetle produced in Germany comes off the line at the factory in Emden. Combined production abroad at Volkswagen's plants in Brazil, Mexico and Nigeria are still 1,000 units per day.
1979: The last Beetle convertible model year in the U.S. Cost: $6,495.
1980, January 10: The last Beetle Convertible is produced at the Karman factory on January 10th.
1981: The 20,000,000th Beetle is produced.
1985: On August 12th, the last imported Beetles arrive in Emden. The Beetle leaves the European market. Production and sales continue in Mexico and Brazil.
1996: As of November, about 400 Type 1 Beetles are still produced everyday at the Volkswagen plant in Puebla, Mexico. Production of the Beetle in Brazil is discontinued.
Total Beetle Production (as of November, 1997): 21,342,955
Total U.S. Sales: 4,988,350
from
http://www.magcars.com/homeb/html/beetle_history.htm
So VW Beetle is my final answer, Regis.
By 1935 2 cars were being given extensive testing in The Black Forest and by late 1936 new and improved models were undergoing highly serious testing, covering some 400 miles a day. After 4 years of highly intensive testing and development, a design was finalised in early 1938 and in the month of May, the cornerstone of the factory which was to build these cars was laid by Hitler in a lavish ceremony."
The History of the VW Beetle
HISTORY OF THE VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE (TYPE 1)
1935: Dr. Ferdinand Porsche (Volkswagen AG's current chairman, Dr. Ferdinand Piëch, is the grandson of Dr. Porsche.) designs and builds the first Beetle prototype with the hope of creating a "people's car."
1936: Between October 22nd and December 22nd, three early Beetle prototypes set off on large-scale trials, each car covers approximately 30,000 miles, under the supervision of the German Automobile Industry Association. This was the VW 3 Series.
1937: Construction of the "VW 30" Series. The 30 cars in this series cover a total distance of 1.8 million miles (2.4 million kilometers) in the course of tests. The Volkswagen Beetle begins to take shape.
1938: The first Beetle in its final form is produced.
1945: By the end of WWII the Volkswagen factory is all but completely destroyed. The Allies help rebuild the factory and begin placing orders for the car. The British army orders 20,000 Volkswagens.
1946: Ten thousand and twenty Volkswagens produced in the course of the entire year. With so many vehicles being ordered and with spirits at Volkswagen on the rise the car is named the "Type 1" to signify a new start for the company.
1948: The first Beetle convertibles are produced by Hebmueller. A two seater, only 682 are built.
1949, January 8: On this day, two Volkswagen Beetles are shipped from the Netherlands. Their final destination, however, is the United States. They both sell for about $800 a piece. The original Beetles, which are simply referred to as Volkswagen sedans, are powered by 30HP engines.
1949, May 13: The 50,000th Volkswagen produced since the end of the WWII comes off of the assembly line. At the same time, the first production convertible Beetle is built at Karmann coach works in Osnabruck, Germany. It is to become the best selling convertible in the world selling a total of 330,281 units.
1949, June 1: The "Export Model" is introduced. This improved equipment model added chrome trim, new exterior colors and increased interior comfort.
1950: Hydraulic brakes are added. Ashtray added in front dash and right rear quarter panel.
1952: Glove compartment gets door, formerly an open space.
1953: Oval one-piece window replaces the split back window.
1954: Horsepower increased to 36HP. Starter button is now integrated with the ignition switch, formerly a separate button on the dashboard.
1955: The semaphore "idiot stick" turn indicators are replaced by modern, flashing indicators mounted low on the front and rear fenders. The 1,000,000th Volkswagen is produced. Volkswagen of America, Inc. is established in Englewood Cliffs, NJ as a sales and marketing subsidiary.
1956: Sunroof changed from a cloth fabric to a plastic fabric.
1958: Rear window and windshield enlarged for better visibility.
1960: In the summer of 1960, Volkswagen imports the 500,000th Beetle to the U.S.
1961: Horsepower increased to 40HP.
1962: Volkswagen's annual sales in America exceed 200,000 for the first time.
1964: Volkswagen begins producing cars in Mexico. A metal, sliding sunroof replaces the plastic fabric sunroof.
1965: Rear seat folds down to accommodate more luggage. Improved braking system makes for much shorter stops.
1966: Horsepower increased to 50HP. Hazard lights added.
1967: Horsepower increased to 53HP.
1968: The optional Automatic Stick Shift is introduced. Head restraints included on front seat backs. Collapsible steering column in the event of frontal impact.
1969: Rear defroster put into the rear window. Day/night rearview mirror added.
1970: Horsepower increased to 57HP. Buzzer sounds when door is opened and keys are left in the ignition. Lock on glove compartment door.
1971: Horsepower increased to 60HP. Memory switch turns off the headlights if the driver should forget them when he switches off the engine.
1972, February, 17: The 15,007,034th Beetle is built, making it the most produced car in history, overtaking the legendary Model T. The rear window is increased in size again.
1974, July, 1: The Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg ceases production of the Beetle after 30 years and 11,916,519 cars. Production of the Beetle in Europe continues in Emden and Brussels. Self restoring energy absorbing bumpers, and a twelve month, 20,000 mile warranty that even covers wear-and-tear items such as spark plugs are added.
1975: Electronic fuel injection system added, giving the Beetle an averaged 33 mpg on the highway.
1976: Metallic paint and sport style wheels add a touch of flair to the Beetle.
1977: The last of the Beetle sedans in the U.S. Cost: $3,599.
1978, January 19: The last Beetle produced in Germany comes off the line at the factory in Emden. Combined production abroad at Volkswagen's plants in Brazil, Mexico and Nigeria are still 1,000 units per day.
1979: The last Beetle convertible model year in the U.S. Cost: $6,495.
1980, January 10: The last Beetle Convertible is produced at the Karman factory on January 10th.
1981: The 20,000,000th Beetle is produced.
1985: On August 12th, the last imported Beetles arrive in Emden. The Beetle leaves the European market. Production and sales continue in Mexico and Brazil.
1996: As of November, about 400 Type 1 Beetles are still produced everyday at the Volkswagen plant in Puebla, Mexico. Production of the Beetle in Brazil is discontinued.
Total Beetle Production (as of November, 1997): 21,342,955
Total U.S. Sales: 4,988,350
from
http://www.magcars.com/homeb/html/beetle_history.htm
So VW Beetle is my final answer, Regis.
06-05-2001, 12:38 PM
#6
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How can you argue w/ that? I will go with the Beetle as well. I know the 356 did not come along until 1949, and the 911 is not a great answer as it did not even hit paper until 1956- not available until 1964.
Like Bill said- the Bug is still produced to this day- and the good Dr. did design it! Thanks Mrdi! Sean.
Like Bill said- the Bug is still produced to this day- and the good Dr. did design it! Thanks Mrdi! Sean.
