The VW Beetle was supposedly designed by legendary German engineer Ferdinand Porsche and his team in the 1930s, at the behest of Adolf Hitler, who wanted a cheap, practical car suitable to mobilise a nation and to use the country’s growing road network but which was also simple to mass produce and repair. However, research indicates that German designer and engineer Josef Ganz, who was known for developing small, affordable, rear-engined cars and had already designed a car called the Maikäfer (May Bug) in the early 1930's. This car shared some really fundamental design elements with the VW Beetle and consequently it was claimed that Ganz's design and key elements were stolen by the Nazis for the Porsche designed Volkswagen Beetle after Adolf Hitler saw Ganz's car at a motor show in 1933, but Ferdinand Porsche is the only name associated with the new 'Peoples Car'. Although designed before the Second World War, volume production did not commence until after the war and initially under British control and whilst the car went through various style changes in the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s, and acquired larger, more powerful engines, it retained its original distinctive shape – giving rise to the ‘bug’ and ‘beetle’ nicknames. Such was its enduring popularity, it went on to become possibly the most widely recognised car in the world and production only ended in 2003 after more than 21 million cars had been built. The Cabriolet variant of the Beetle entered production in 1950, Volkswagen having commissioned Karosserie Karmann in the late 1940s to create an open-topped version of the popular saloon. Production of the Cabriolet lasted until 1980, by which time the model available was built on the 1303 series saloon base unit – first introduced in 1972 - which featured a curved windshield, rack and pinion steering and the most powerful engine unit offered a 1600cc motor with around 50 bhp on tap. This 1303 Karmann Cabriolet is an original Right Hand Drive car and it was first registered new in Australia in 1974 and it has the range-topping 1600 cc engine. It was imported to the UK as a part of personal belongings by a Mrs Noreen Bridges of Moggerhanger in Bedfordshire and was registered here in the UK 0n 26th May 1989. It has had a further 4 owners since then and the current owner bought the car 26 years ago in in July 1999 and its colour was changed from Grey to Pink in December 2000 and presented to his wife as a wedding anniversary present. The car really is in exceptional condition both inside and outside and really must be seen and driven to be appreciated. Full details, photographs and a video will follow shortly after our showroom preparation. Car on display @ our showrooms in South West London. NB: Classic Chrome Ltd make every effort to ensure that the information in this advertisement is accurate and all statements as to provenance and condition are given as opinions only. When describing any car that is more than 20 years old, we sometimes have to rely on the car’s history file and any information provided by the previous owner(s). This information in passed on in good faith and is therefore not purported to be a statement of fact. Any prospective purchaser must satisfy themselves as to the condition and fitness for use of the vehicle. This does not affect your statutory rights.