HITLER’S PERSONAL SKETCH OF THE KDF-WAGEN (1932) Sitting at a restaurant table in Munich in the summer of 1932, Hitler designed the prototype for what would become the immensely successful Beetle design for Volkswagen (literally, the "car of the people").   In an era where only the most economic elite possessed cars, Hitler believed that all people should be able to own a car and additionally thought that a smart design could allow for reliability, enjoyment, and vacation travel. The name given to the car in 1938 was Kraft durch Freude (KdF-Wagen, literally "strength through joy car").   Hitler gave his design to the head of Daimler-Benz, Jakob Werlin, and stressed its importance. "Take it with you and speak with people who understand more about it than I do. But don't forget it. I want to hear from you soon, about the technical details." HITLER HISTORICAL MUSEUM   Hitler Speaking at VW Factory   KDF WAGEN/VW LOGO PROGRESSION 1) Original DAF (German Labor Front) Cog Wheel-Swastika combination for Kdf Wagen                     1938 Grundsteinlegung des Volkswagen Werkes (Ground Breaking Ceremony) pin 2) DAF Kdf Wagen Sunwheel Logo and evolving designs Haupt Factory Sign 3) 1939 DAF Kdf Wagen Sunburst logo    4) 1939 DAF Kdf Wagen converted Swastika Logo Seen here in a 1939 Kdf Brochure in lower left and right corners 5) Nikolai Borg claim of change, origin of VW logo over swastika in DAF Cog 6) Final Franz Reimspeiss official winner of VW logo competition symbol later recognized the world over for decades to come 7) Failed British Postwar 1946 Radclyffe Roadster Kdf Wagen copy. Only 2 were built in Germany. 8) Mystery Postwar 3-Wheelers

 

STRANGE VEHICLES OF PRE-WAR GERMANY & THE THIRD REICH  (1928-1945)