Factory Pictures

The Birthplace of Cool: VW Factory Views

One of many inspections in VW engine manufacturing. Here we see cylinder liners being checkedOne of many inspections in VW engine manufacturing. Here we see cylinder liners being checked

A view from the assembly line at Volkswagen Brussels in 1972 or 1973A view from the assembly line at Volkswagen Brussels in 1972 or 1973

New Super Beetles awaiting shipment at the Volkswagen plantNew Super Beetles awaiting shipment at the Volkswagen plant

Professor Dr. Ernst Fiala, photographed on site at Volkswagenwerk Wolfsburg with the Split Window and Super BeetleProfessor Dr. Ernst Fiala, photographed on site at Volkswagenwerk Wolfsburg with the Split Window and Super Beetle

Beetle body is laying upside-down in the Volkswagen Brussels factory, during a summer holiday shutdown in the early 1970s. Thankfully not a Super BeetleBeetle body is laying upside-down in the Volkswagen Brussels factory, during a summer holiday shutdown in the early 1970s. Thankfully not a Super Beetle

The 1303 was so new even the local population were stopping to look at the one or two that were in the streets, this one obviously been collected from the factory by a US buyerWorker's parking and the power station in September 1972. The 1303 was so new even the local population were stopping to look at the one or two that were in the streets, this one obviously been collected from the factory by a US buyer

Installation of wiring and electrics on a 1973 model year 1303 Beetle at the Wolfsburg plant, November 1972Installation of wiring and electrics on a 1973 model year 1303 Beetle at the Wolfsburg plant, November 1972

A delivery of new Volkswagens from the Factory, comprising Beetles - including 1303 cabriolets on the top deck - and a Type 3 VariantA delivery of new Volkswagens from the Factory, comprising Beetles - including 1303 cabriolets on the top deck - and a Type 3 Variant

Volkswagen number 750,000 for The Netherlands, a 1303 Beetle, was celebrated at the end of the assembly line at VW-Werk Wolfsburg on 31 October 1973Volkswagen number 750,000 for The Netherlands, a 1303 Beetle, was celebrated at the end of the assembly line at VW-Werk Wolfsburg on October 31, 1973

At the top of the windshield can be seen export code HO (Holland) At the top of the windshield of the 750,000th Super Beetle produced you can see the export code HO (Holland)

The 'home made' last ever Beetle to be made at Volkswagen Brussels in 1975The 'home made' last ever Beetle to be made at Volkswagen Brussels in 1975, a 1303 model. The following pictures are of this very special Super Beetle

View of the front apron of the last ever Beetle built by Volkswagen BrusselsView of the front apron of the last ever Beetle built by Volkswagen Brussels, a 1303 created out of spare parts in 1975. The car has a unique production plate. Normally the plate shows the week and day, but on this special car the number is the total Beetles built at the Brussels plant +1 (1143665)

The 'home made' last ever Beetle built by Volkswagen Brussels in 1975, a 1303 modelThe 'home made' last ever Beetle built by Volkswagen Brussels in 1975, a 1303 model. View of the central tunnel under the back seat revealing the car has no chassis number

Speedometer of the 'home made' last ever Beetle to be made at Volkswagen Brussels in 1975Speedometer of the 'home made' last ever Beetle to be made at Volkswagen Brussels in 1975, a 1303 model. Just 22 kilometres on the clock

Interior of the 'home made' last ever Beetle to be built at Volkswagen BrusselsInterior of the 'home made' last ever Beetle to be built at Volkswagen Brussels in 1975, a 1303 model

The 'home made' last ever Beetle to be made at Volkswagen Brussels. View of the 1200 engineThe 'home made' last ever Beetle to be made at Volkswagen Brussels in 1975, a 1303 model. View of the 1200 engine

The 'home made' last ever Beetle to be made at Volkswagen Brussels in 197. Note the car has no reversing lights or VW 1303 badge on the 
      deck lidThe 'home made' last ever Beetle to be made at Volkswagen Brussels in 1975, a 1303 model. Note the car has no reversing lights or VW 1303 badge on the deck lid

A 1302 Super Beetle is being set up for crash testingA 1302 Super Beetle is being set up for crash testing

As well as the Mk.1 Passats, there are at least two special edition 1303 Beetles - either the Big Beetle or City BeetleAs well as the Mk.1 Passats, there are at least two special edition 1303 Beetles - either the Big Beetle or City Beetle. You can see their distinctive side stripes on the lower body and sports steel wheels

Two Volkswagen Beetle pass just metres away from where they were born at the VW plant in WolfsburgA Super and a Standard Beetle pass just metres away from where they were born at the VW plant in Wolfsburg. The huge factory Heizkraftwerk power station makes an imposing sight in this photo from 1976

Images courtesy of Volkswagen Factory Pictures

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