The Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg, Germany, is massive, employing 65,000 workers and covering an area the size of Monaco. Yet, when wandering around Autostadt (Automobile City), this 28-hectare visitor attraction adjacent to the factory feels far removed from the beating industrial heart of Volkswagen. It is resplendent with parklands, lagoons, restaurants, and auto-related activities, and it houses the fabulous Zeithaus Museum, a multi-level wonderworld dedicated to the automobile. Here’s a sampling of some milestone vehicles, and the designers from whose creative minds they sprung.
As this museum is hosted by Volkswagen, we’ll start at the beginning of the brand. Yes, Dr. Ferdinand Porsche created what was to become the VW Beetle, but that unmistakable profile came from Erwin Komenda, who was Porsche’s chief designer in the early years. About 30 Porsche Typ 60 (Prototype V30) were built in 1937 and covered a total of 2.4 million meticulously documented kilometres. How cool is that windowless rear?
And here’s where it all ended – VW Beetle number 21,529,464, built July 30, 2003, in Puebla, Mexico.
And on to another people’s car. With the Suez Canal crisis crippling fuel supplies, British Motor Corporation tasked its brilliant engineer Alec Issigonis to design a car that could carry a family of four, their luggage, and daintily sip fuel. His revolutionary Mini set the transverse-engine/front-drive template that pretty much defines the architectural layout of every compact car to this day. The fact that his Mini became a fashion icon and giant-killing rally star did not particularly impress the pragmatic engineer. Nor did 28 female gymnasts from Sussex setting a record when they all crammed themselves into a Mini Cooper at the Tower of London.
Malcom Sayer was an aircraft engineer during the Second World War, and his mathematical knowledge of aerodynamics came into play when designing the Jaguar E-Type. Loathing the term “stylist,” Sayer said, “I’m an aerodynamicist, not a hairdresser.” Nonetheless, at the E-Type’s debut at the 1961 Geneva Motorshow, Enzo Ferrari declared it to be the most beautiful car ever designed. And no one argues with Il Commendatore.
Trust an Italian to design the first Volkswagen for the individualist. Still achingly desirable, Felice Mario Boano’s Typ 14 (we know it as the Karman Ghia) led other German manufacturers to seek Italian designers.
This 1924 Lancia Lamba is an unusually sleek piece for the time, and is credited as being the first mass-produced car with unibody construction and the first series production model with a V4 engine. The 2.1L V4 made 50 horsepower, giving this 1,150-kg droptop a decent turn of speed.
The 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado, a coupe credited to Olds design chief David North, is a true example of rolling automotive art. With front-wheel drive and a 425 cubic-inch V8 up front (later increased to 455 cu-in), it was named 1966 Car of the Year and received many engineering and design awards including one from the Industrial Design Society of America.
And while on the theme of big American iron, it doesn’t get more over the top than the 1959 Cadillac, the pinnacle of American automotive design excess. Acres of sheet metal and pointy tailfins that reach to the skies mark a glorious end to this era of automotive design that reflected the nation’s optimism in its gleaming chrome. The 1959 Cadillac was the last project to be overseen by GM design guru Harley Earl before his retirement.
And now for something completely different from 1959. Across the pond, the automotive scene wasn’t quite so grandiose. The Messerschmitt KM200 microcar, designed by Fritz Fend, spanned from 1955 to 1964 with a total production of 46,000 units. The Kabinenroller (cabin scooter) set new standards for lightweight construction and aerodynamics. The Messerschmill’s single-cylinder 191-cc two-stroke engine put out just under 10 horsepower, pushing the microcar to a top speed of 90 km/h.
The 1938 Bugatti 57 SC was the most spectacular and fastest European car of its time. Only four of these stunning Atlantic coupe versions were produced, and they’re still regarded as unparalleled automotive design milestones. Its 3.2L supercharged inline six-cylinder put out 200 hp. Ralph Lauren has one. The one you see here is an exact recreation.
The 1954 R-Type Continental set the template for many Bentleys to come. Grand, sweeping elegance meets long distance comfort in this swift two-door conveyance. Penned by John Blatchley, only 208 of these Bentley super coupes were produced.
Ferdinand Alexander “Butzi” Porsche was Ferry Porsche’s son and Dr. Ferdinand Porsche’s grandson. Tasked with designing a successor to the much-loved Porsche 356, his 901 (soon to be renamed 911) sports a silhouette that is the very definition of iconic. Of course, Porsche devotees initially didn’t accept it (they’re like that), but now 60 years later, the current Porsche 911 is still instantly identifiable thanks to Butzi’s timeless template.
Maybe not the sexiest car at this museum, Gaston Juchet’s Renault 16, produced from 1965 to 1980, is credited as being the first hatchback saloon. It is also the first car to win the European Car of the Year award. The Renault 16 was briefly built in Quebec for the North American market.
Produced from 1936 to 1942, the Lincoln Zephyr, in all its aerodynamic glory, gained the public acceptance the radical Chrysler Airflow did not. Conceived by Edsel Ford, it was designed by Eugene Turenne Gregorie and came as a four-door, two-door coupe, and convertible. Named for the Greek god of the west wind, the Zephyr’s 4.4L V12 gave it wings.
The Volkswagen Golf turns 50 this year, and while legendary Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro has a portfolio chock full of drop-dead gorgeous legends (Lotus Esprit, BMW M1, Maserati Ghibli, Alfa Romeo Brera, Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta, DMC DeLorean, Iso Grifo, De Tomaso Mangusta, the list goes on…), the humble VW Golf Mk 1 is arguably his most important creation.
