The Beetle Mania Exhibit was brought about by SM City Cebu featuring classic Volkswagen Beetles at the Northwing Atrium last June 2 to June 10, 2010. A total of 9 VW replicas were put up for display set to reminisce some of the most prominent and highly fabricated vehicles back in the 1950’s.

The Volkswagen Beetle was produced by the German auto maker Volkswagen from 1938 until 2003. Deemed very economical and designed for sustained high speed, the VW Beetle was originally intended for the Autobahn, a German term that denotes dual carriageway limited access highway. In due course, the Beetle turned out to be a top seller in the US despite its rear-wheel design. It was regarded as the benchmark for the American compact and subcompact cars like the Chevrolet Corvair, Chevrolet Vega and Ford Pinto. The success of the beetle mania owed much to its tremendous high build quality and innovative, attention-grabbing advertising.

1974 VW Beetle – The California Look

The Beetle is popular with customizers throughout the world not only because it is cheap and easy to work on, but because its iconic looks can be personalized and the flat four motor is tunable.

One of the more popular Beetle styles in the 70’s up to the present is the Cal-Look (California Look). The traditional Cal-Look way to customize is to change the wheels into an era correct sports wheels such as those from Porsche vehicles and the lower suspension of the car. One of the original California Look modifications is to replace or remove the bumpers and replace them with T-bars, either to give a cleaner look or reduce the curb weight. The exterior body chrome trimmings are also removed to achieve a bold muscular look. Engine displacements are also increased to have a true sense of there is more than meets the eye.

1976 VW Beetle Convertible

The 1303 sedan had faded into history but the 1303 Super Beetle convertible remained. The MacPherson front suspension, full sized instrument panel and panoramic windshield that characterized the Super Beetle Sedan continued on the convertible.

In 1976 there were very few convertibles being produced by US automakers. The Super Beetle was one of the only choices for those who wanted the open-air experience. The increase in sales sparked the release of one of the most popular special editions, the Triple White convertible. White was Germany’s national racing color so this 1303 came with Alpine white paint.

The Thing – Type 181

The Volkswagen Type 181, also known as “The Thing”, “The Trekker” and the “The Safari” is a vehicle developed for the civilian market in the 1960’s from the Type 82 Kubelwagen used by Germany during World War II as a light field transport vehicle.

In 1969, the manufacturer, Volkswagen, built the Volkswagen Type 181 in commercial quantities a substitute of the Kubelwagen for the motoring public. It has been estimated that about only 140, 000 units were ever produced world wide spanning only 11 years of production (1969 – 1980).

Between 1969 and 1972, the Volkswagen Type 181 was produced and assembled in Germany. From 1973 until 1980, production of its components took place in Mexico and subsequently assembled in Indonesia.

1968 EMPI IMP Buggy (Yellow)

In the late 60’s, EMPI (Engineered Motor Products Inc.) had gone considerably farther with the development of this vehicle with a shorter wheelbase that provided superior road handling. Sweeping fender lines added sports-car styling and permit easy entry. The IMP also sported wide rear fenders that accommodated those super wide tires.

It is dubbed as “The Car for all Seasons” because it’s not only a dune buggy, but a multi-purpose fun car wrapped up in a beautiful fiberglass body. So versatile that it could be used as a dune buggy, city car, fun car, off – roadster, commuter car, sports car or street rod. All these, coupled with the use of the famous EMPI performance parts and accessories, make the EMPI IMP the soundest choice for driving pleasure both on and off the road.

1973 VW Beetle 1300s

The first special edition, and quite probably the best ever Beetle, was the sports model – the GT Beetle. It was the most well-known of all the special editions, and VW started releasing them in 1972. Only 2500 of these GT’s were made. The sports bug took its foundation from the European 1300s, which was a 1300 fitted with a 1584cc engine that was putting out 50bhp, and had the advantage of front discs.

When sold in the UK, they kept the 1300s badge, which if the customer didn’t like, the dealer would have it removed and replaced with the VW GT Beetle badge. Apparently, the reason why so many people opted to keep the 1300s badge, was that they had lower insurance premiums due to the badge.

The 1963 VW Type 1 Double Cab

The VW Type 1, also known as the Split Screen Bus, has the distinctive split window windscreen and swooping lines meeting at a V point in the front. The VW Type 1 was produced from 1950 until the introduction of the T2 in 1968.

With a simple Type 1 air-cooled VW engine (1131cc, 1300cc, 1500cc, the same engine that powers the Beetle) mounted in the rear of the vehicle directly above the rear axle, and the cab (or cabin) at the front directly above the front axle, the Type 2 is evenly weight distributed front and rear and leaves a large cargo room between the axles. This large and low cargo space is the key to the bus’ success and versatility.

1976 VW Westfalia

Volkswagen Westfalia Campers were conversions of Volkswagen Type 2 (better known as Transporter or Micro – Bus). Volkswagen subcontracted the modifications to Westfalia – werke (most often called Westfalia) in Rheda – Wiedenbruck, Germany where various models and options were available.

Standard Equipment: 1976 VW Camper Interior

• Various Foldout seat arrangements for sleeping
• Birch plywood interior panels
• Laminated plywood cabinetry for storage
• Screened Jalousie windows
• Water storage and pump
• Ice box or cold – box
• Sink (some models)
• Electrical hookups
• Curtains
• Laminated folding table

1970 VW Beetle

The 1970 Volkswagen Beetle faced a flood of challenges — a higher price tag, a stale design, fresher competitors, and ever – more stringent safety and emissions standards. The 1970 Volkswagen Beetle remained viable as a simple, low-cost car able to cope        with all sorts of adverse conditions – a Volkswagen in the best, original sense.

But mostly, the 1970 Volkswagen Beetle was just an old design with only fuel economy, workmanship, and durability on its side. This was the perfect Beetle for those who valued the above – mentioned attributes.

1971 VW Beetle

The VW 1500 is a hard beetle to beat and is usually for in-town performance and for in –traffic handling. And on the open road its hill-climbing power is power to spare for speed limit cruising all day.

It was the lowest price 1500cc car you could buy during its time. And it came with a load of extra – like a safety steering column that collapses under severe impact; breakaway rear –view mirror – to mention a few.

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1. Cebu Blog Camp 2010 – A Huge Success!