1947 Volkswagen Beetle

The first true civilian Beetles -- almost 9,000 -- chugged forth in 1947. These were not only the first Volkswagens sold to civilians, they were also the first to sport chrome trim, including bumpers, hubcaps, and running-board moldings. The under-stressed 1131-cc engine put out a meager 25 horsepower, yet could tirelessly hold the car at its 60-mph top speed all day long. Production for 1948 was 19,244, amazing given the still-difficult conditions.

1947 Volkswagen Beetle

But who would buy all those cars? Demand among Allied occupation forces was satisfied, and most Germans still couldn't afford even a motorbike. That left exports, but prospects seemed dim for a relic of the hated Third Reich. Besides, there was no company to handle sales, service, or anything else. Then too, Hirst's superiors weren't nearly so enthusiastic about Volkswagen. Though Hirst had shown the factory was still viable, a British commission concluded that the Beetle itself would be "quite unattractive to the average motor-car buyer. It is too ugly and too noisy. To build the car commercially would be a completely uneconomic enterprise. " First exports started in August.