Classic VW Beetles in SE Asia, Volkswagen “Type 1” … Chiang Mai – Vehicle Photography

Here in northern Thailand, I’m surprised at the number of old Volkswagens that I see around town. 

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Little car, big in Asia

A Beetle by any other name

The old Beetle was known officially as the Type 1, and unofficially as the “Bug.”  It was also called the “Love Bug,” and when I was a kid, we jokingly referred to it as “Hitler’s Handbag.

The old Beetle was a very basic, no-frills economy car with a rear-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive. Surprisingly, it became the most manufactured car ever, with over 21 million sold over its 5-decade run.   

The Beetle was first manufactured in Germany in 1938.

In 1974, the company stopped producing the old Type 1

Remade, remodeled

In 1988, however, the company introduced its “New Beetle,” which featured a stylish update of the old Type 1 model.

Location – Chiang Mai, on Google Maps