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- 1986 Volkswagen Ad, "Give in to an Overwhelming Drive, the 1986 Jetta GLI" -
- February 01, 1986
- Collections - Artifact
1986 Volkswagen Ad, "Give in to an Overwhelming Drive, the 1986 Jetta GLI"
- "The Best Car in the World for Under $3500." Volkswagen Rabbit Advertisement, 1976 - As Americans turned to more energy-efficient cars than the American auto companies were turning out, they found that the Volkswagen Rabbit -- a small front-wheel-drive replacement for the VW Beetle in the U.S. market during the mid-1970s -- delivered superb fuel economy.
- 1976
- Collections - Artifact
"The Best Car in the World for Under $3500." Volkswagen Rabbit Advertisement, 1976
As Americans turned to more energy-efficient cars than the American auto companies were turning out, they found that the Volkswagen Rabbit -- a small front-wheel-drive replacement for the VW Beetle in the U.S. market during the mid-1970s -- delivered superb fuel economy.
- Sales Brochure, "The Volkswagen Camper," 1968 - The Volkswagen Type II camper, introduced in 1949, fueled a postwar interest in recreational vehicles in the United States. The compact van was a marvel of efficient design with a bench that folded into a double bed, an ice box, multiple storage spaces and an optional gas stove. Even the spare tire did double duty as a table stand.
- 1968
- Collections - Artifact
Sales Brochure, "The Volkswagen Camper," 1968
The Volkswagen Type II camper, introduced in 1949, fueled a postwar interest in recreational vehicles in the United States. The compact van was a marvel of efficient design with a bench that folded into a double bed, an ice box, multiple storage spaces and an optional gas stove. Even the spare tire did double duty as a table stand.
- 1963 Volkswagen Ad, "The Volkswagen is the Big One" - In this 1963 advertisement, Volkswagen compares its roominess against a typical American station wagon. The shorter, yet taller, VW Type 2 Microbus had more room. The ad touted the vehicle's carrying capacity for adults, children, or large purchases. VW tried to capture a family market, but its Microbus became better known as an icon of the 1960s counterculture movement.
- 1963
- Collections - Artifact
1963 Volkswagen Ad, "The Volkswagen is the Big One"
In this 1963 advertisement, Volkswagen compares its roominess against a typical American station wagon. The shorter, yet taller, VW Type 2 Microbus had more room. The ad touted the vehicle's carrying capacity for adults, children, or large purchases. VW tried to capture a family market, but its Microbus became better known as an icon of the 1960s counterculture movement.
- Awning for Volkswagen Westfalia Camper, 1959 - Volkswagen began exporting Westfalia converted van campers to the United States in 1956. These ingeniously compact, versatile vehicles provided home-like camping comfort and helped shape postwar America's recreational lifestyle. To customize their van camping experience, Wesfalia owners could purchase optional pop up tents, side tents, and awnings in coordinating colors.
- 1959
- Collections - Artifact
Awning for Volkswagen Westfalia Camper, 1959
Volkswagen began exporting Westfalia converted van campers to the United States in 1956. These ingeniously compact, versatile vehicles provided home-like camping comfort and helped shape postwar America's recreational lifestyle. To customize their van camping experience, Wesfalia owners could purchase optional pop up tents, side tents, and awnings in coordinating colors.
- "We Don't Have to Start from Scratch Each Year" Volkswagen Advertisement, 1969 - While American automakers tweaked their cars with fresh styling updates every year, Germany's Volkswagen made a virtue of its sedan's unchanging appearance. The strategy kept costs down and appealed to practical, budget-minded customers. VW built more than 21 million of its Type 1 Beetle sedans between 1938 and 2003.
- 1969
- Collections - Artifact
"We Don't Have to Start from Scratch Each Year" Volkswagen Advertisement, 1969
While American automakers tweaked their cars with fresh styling updates every year, Germany's Volkswagen made a virtue of its sedan's unchanging appearance. The strategy kept costs down and appealed to practical, budget-minded customers. VW built more than 21 million of its Type 1 Beetle sedans between 1938 and 2003.
- 1977 Volkswagen Sales Brochure, "VW Breaks the 50 MPG Barrier" - As Americans turned to more energy-efficient cars than the American auto companies were turning out, they found that the Volkswagen Rabbit -- a small front-wheel-drive replacement for the VW Beetle available to Americans by the mid-1970s -- delivered superb fuel economy. Specifically, it was the diesel-powered Rabbit that averaged 52 mpg on the highway (and 39 mpg in the city).
- 1977
- Collections - Artifact
1977 Volkswagen Sales Brochure, "VW Breaks the 50 MPG Barrier"
As Americans turned to more energy-efficient cars than the American auto companies were turning out, they found that the Volkswagen Rabbit -- a small front-wheel-drive replacement for the VW Beetle available to Americans by the mid-1970s -- delivered superb fuel economy. Specifically, it was the diesel-powered Rabbit that averaged 52 mpg on the highway (and 39 mpg in the city).
- "When We Designed This Beauty, We Kept a Few Ugly Things in Mind," Volkswagen Advertisement, 1967 - The automobile is a paradox -- a practical tool that plays host to both human needs and fantasies. Like car consumers, automotive ads seem to land somewhere between fantasy and reality, emotions and rationality. Many ads incorporate apparent opposites: fantasy can sell practicality, and vice versa. Sometimes the car has disappeared completely -- an emotional appeal prompts us to complete the ad.
- 1967
- Collections - Artifact
"When We Designed This Beauty, We Kept a Few Ugly Things in Mind," Volkswagen Advertisement, 1967
The automobile is a paradox -- a practical tool that plays host to both human needs and fantasies. Like car consumers, automotive ads seem to land somewhere between fantasy and reality, emotions and rationality. Many ads incorporate apparent opposites: fantasy can sell practicality, and vice versa. Sometimes the car has disappeared completely -- an emotional appeal prompts us to complete the ad.
- Advertisement for Volkswagen of America, "Think Small," 1962 - Germany's Volkswagen appealed to a different type of American consumer -- one who valued thrifty practicality over flashy style. VW's memorable "Think Small" advertising campaign, produced by the Doyle Dane Bernbach agency, heralded the little car's high fuel economy and low operating costs. The ads were simple, honest, and successful -- much like the car itself.
- 1962
- Collections - Artifact
Advertisement for Volkswagen of America, "Think Small," 1962
Germany's Volkswagen appealed to a different type of American consumer -- one who valued thrifty practicality over flashy style. VW's memorable "Think Small" advertising campaign, produced by the Doyle Dane Bernbach agency, heralded the little car's high fuel economy and low operating costs. The ads were simple, honest, and successful -- much like the car itself.
- "Air Cooled Rear Engined V-W Sedan with Heater and Overdrive" Volkswagen Advertisement, circa 1952 - The Volkswagen sedan made a virtue of its simplicity. The VW's rear-mounted engine was cooled by air, which eliminated the need for a radiator, coolant, and a pump to circulate the fluid. Fewer parts meant less weight, and less weight meant better fuel economy and reduced operating costs. Air entered the engine bay through vents below the rear window.
- circa 1950
- Collections - Artifact
"Air Cooled Rear Engined V-W Sedan with Heater and Overdrive" Volkswagen Advertisement, circa 1952
The Volkswagen sedan made a virtue of its simplicity. The VW's rear-mounted engine was cooled by air, which eliminated the need for a radiator, coolant, and a pump to circulate the fluid. Fewer parts meant less weight, and less weight meant better fuel economy and reduced operating costs. Air entered the engine bay through vents below the rear window.