An authentic ID badge worn by some VW factory worker in the early 1940s. It is light-weight, perhaps a heavy tin. "220" might be the worker's unique ID number, or maybe a building number? It appears the round post in the back would slip into a typical button hole on a jacket or apron. I have seen other examples of this badge in blue, orange and red. Perhaps the color of the badge indicated the particular building to which the worker was assigned? In January 1941, the Vienna-based Schrauben-und Schmiedewaren-Fabriks AG, Brevillier & A. Unger & Söhne became Schmiedewerk Ustron GmbH, based in Berlin (Gmbh is similar to today's LLC, or limited liability company). The plan was to expand the plant into a large-scale forge, capable of supplying the forgings needed for 450,000 VWs annually after the war. However, by the end of 1941, the factory's 687 workers primarily supplied the Reichsbahn (state railways) and the Wehrmacht (Nazi military). The 630 VWs that were produced went to the Nazi elite, none to the common citizen. So much for the "people's car." This badge is 2¼" wide at the base; just over 1½" tall

An authentic ID badge worn by some VW factory worker in the early 1940s. It is light-weight, perhaps a heavy tin. "30-109 A" might be the worker's unique ID number, or maybe a building number? It appears the round post in the back would slip into a typical button hole on a jacket or apron. The badge was made by the company H. Aurich in Dresden, Germany. "Ges Gesch" means "registered trademark." This badge is 1½" wide at the base; 1¼" tall

A lapel pin given away at the dedication of the VW factory at Fallersleben on July 1, 1938. It says "City of the KdF-Wagens, Fallersleben." Fallersleben was constructed to be the home of the new Volkswagen factory. The facility was dedicated by Adolf Hitler. It is said that it was in Fallersleben that the iconic Beetle was born. Fallersleben was renamed Wolfsburg in May 1945, and is now the home to Volkswagen AG. VW Beetle production continued at Fallersleben/ Wolfsburg through 1978. "Stadt des KdF-Wagens" ("Home of the Volkswagen, Fallersleben"). The pin at the top is a replica; the one below is an original. 1" in diameter.

A replica (I am rather certain) of a lapel pin given away at the cornerstone-laying of the VW factory near the 14th century Wolfsburg Castle, west of Berlin, Germany, on May 26, 1938. Adolf Hitler and Dr. Ferdinand Porsche were among the 2,000 guests that day. On display were three VW Type 38 KdF vehicles: a dark blue sedan, a black sunroof sedan and a dark burgundy convertible. The KdF sedan was a split-window Beetle, and would serve as the post-war Volkswagen design for decades to come. The Wolfsburg factory became the world's largest auto factory under one roof. "Laying of the Cornerstone, Volkswagen Factory, May 1938." 1½" wide

This pin was offered on eBay in June 2018 for $1,500. According to the seller, "Rare piece of automobile history. Heavy metal medal commemorating Hitler's 'people's car.' Original Volkswagen Beetle car with gear. 'Grunsteinlegung des Volkwagenwerks Mai 1938.' Reverse pinback, reads 'RZ GES. GESCH.' Extremely rare piece. The bar pin is missing." 1½" wide. I do not doubt its authenticity. But for $1,500, I think I'm pretty happy with my $20 replica. Update: Within days of it being posted on eBay, this item was removed. Hmmmm, interesting.

A light-weight die-stamped badge with six crimps on the back, holding a thin layer of waxed cork (the brown you see here is the cork). I think collectors call these type of badges "tinnies." A simple pin glued onto the cork on the back. It was allegedly given to participants of some conference held in East Hannover in 1939. A transportation conference perhaps? I have seen several variations of this badge, with various materials used as backing--- mine is cork. The skeptic in me thinks this pin is a replica. If you know more, please email me. Thank you. 1½" wide, 2½" high.

The medallion above was issued in 1961 to workers at the Wolfsburg Germany Volkswagen factory to commemorate the production of the five-millionth VW Beetle. The medallion bears the image and signature of the legendary Heinz Heinrich Nordhoff (right). Nordhoff was a German engineer who led Volkswagen for 20 years (1948-1968), rebuilding the company after World War II. He turned the VW Beetle into a worldwide automotive phenomenon, producing almost 15 million vehicles. He pioneered the idea of constant improvement while keeping the basic style the same, sort of like, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." He gave liberal benefits to Volkswagen workers and increased pay scales. Within six years after taking over Volkswagen, Nordhoff reduced the number of man-hours to produce a single car by 75%. His commitment to improving the workmanship at Volkswagen made the Beetle famous for reliability. Medallion is 1½" in diameter, roughly the size and weight of a US silver dollar. Often found on eBay for about $200. I bought this one for WAY less. 😉

The Nazis told the German citizens they could use a savings book to record payments toward a future KdF-wagen using Revenue Savings stamps, each stamp representing another payment toward their car. The plan to produce an affordable car for all Germans never materialized for anyone except those in the Nazi upper command. I do not know how many of these stamps one would need to purchase a new KdF-Wagen.

Aug 1938 - The DAF (German Labour Front) announces the "KdF-Wagen installment savings plan." The politically-determined purchase price of 990 Reichsmarks (about $2,475 in 1938) can be paid through a weekly minimum installment of five Reichsmarks into a DAF savings plan. By the end of WWII, over 336,000 citizens had signed up for the plan, far fewer than the DAF had expected, and insufficient to fulfil the vision of a mass-motorized society. Moreover, wage-earners are severely under-represented because of their lower than average income (they make about 30 Reichsmarks/week, or roughly $75/week or $3,900/year). By the end of WWII, no KdF-Wagens had been delivered to any of the citizens enrolled in this "savings plan."

A postage stamp from the 1939 Auto Exposition in Berlin, Germany. Artist's rendering of a KdF-wagen.

1938 KdF-Wagen Brochure

These eight panels are a 1938 brochure intended to impress the German people with the idea of the KdF-Wagen ("Kraft durch Freude" or "Strength through joy"). What was promoted as being an affordable car for the "common German citizen" never materialized for anyone other than Nazi command staff. So much for a "people's car."

My thanks to Seth Emerson who painstakingly translated the German text to English. Some German words used in the 1930s are hardly even known today. Coupled with the elaborately decorative German font Fraktur, translation is not easy. You will see some sections that were simply too difficult to accurately translate. I have noted these with [?]. Thank you for your help, Seth!

	<< The KDF Wagen ["Kraft durch Freude" or "Strength through joy" car]
	<< The will of the Fuehrer [Adolf Hitler] presents the German people with the KDF Wagen ["Kraft durch Freude" or "Strength through joy" wagon]. Tried and tested by the strongest [?], in the flat lands, along the steepest passes in the Alps, and on the Federal Autobahn, the KDF Wagen has great resistance and durability as well as proven to be economical. The German Labor Front has made the mass production of this "great-deal" possible by using the most modern technology, all for an amazingly low price. But the price of the construction of these automobiles is not the defining factor. Additionally it is the knowledge that the consumption and maintenance can be so cheap and can be affordable for those who with little means. The endurance tests, [?], have undergone altogether more than two million kilometers of driving, whereupon each car has covered a distance of over 100,000 km, demonstrates, that this goal was reached. The use of operating costs has been kept to the lowest minimum, while the necessity to maintain [?]. The KDF Wagen is also nicely spacious, and has a smooth ride quality, which until now could only be found in mid-sized automobiles. Its exterior combines a beautiful line of layout with minimum air resistance. The excellent suspension with independent rotating wheels and incredible road-handling of this car, works in conjunction with the highest security braking. It is the will of the Fuehrer for the industrious German people to do their best, which has been clearly demonstrated by the creative spirit of the German automotive industry. What a will it has become!
	<< [?]
	<< The design offers space to comfortably seat four adults and one child. A very spacious trunk is located behind the backseat. A second space for luggage can be found under the front hood. The door window [?]. The windshield is made from shatterproof glass. A warm-air heating system provides a comfortable interior-temperature in winter. The left door is lockable, the right can be closed. The headlight dimmer switch is operated through the foot pedal. Furthermore, exclusively developed for the KDF Wagen, additional installation of a radio with European reception is available. The paint is dark-blue gray. As an extra value, individual parts have been used for weather resistance and to prevent rust.
	<< With sunroof
	<< The chassis and body have been widened to make the KDF Wagen more spacious, which makes longer trips more pleasant. The seats that are positioned between the axles create a nearly unaltered center of gravity, regardless of whether the driver is alone or the car is full with five persons, and moves all the seats in the zone of best suspension, which allows each wheel to rotate independently. Swaying in curves is completely eliminated.
	<< [Left side of page] Cruising speed at each gear and climbing ability with 300Kg of cargo at average sea level. Tested in Katschberg (Mountain pass in the Austrian Alps. Elevation is 5,384 ft) 1st Gear 20km/hr 32% gradient 2nd Gear 40km/hr 18% gradient 3rd Gear 65km/hr 9% gradient 4th Gear 100Km/hr [Right side of page] 40km/hr 7m braking distance 0-60km/hr in 14 seconds The highly resistant overhead valve 4-cylinder engine is exceptional in regard to outside temperatures and maintenance, very economical, and is air-cooled, all without special preventative measures other than garage storage during winter. The 4-speed transmission allows for great use in any terrain and a maximum driving experience on the Federal Autobahn, particularly due to the radiator cooling system. Standard equipment includes: Odometer and Speedometer. Directional indicator (turn signal). Electric dual-windshield wipers. Indicator lamps (lights) for generator, oil pressure, windshield wipers and headlights. Rear-view mirror. Interior light. Spare-tire and toolkit. Special five-speed transmission vehicles are available at an extra charge. Fuel consumption is 7 liters for 100km. Fuel tank with reserve holds 25 liters. Braking distance at 40km/hr is 7 meters. 0-60km/hr in 14 seconds. Maximum speed is 100km/hr *Subject to changes
	<< Details about the KDF Wagen are available at all local departments of the German Labor Front and the Nazi-Community. "Speed Through Joy"

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In June 2020, I delivered a new 2019 Beetle Turbo for a local VW dealership to a happy customer in Ludington MI. It was Tornado Red. The salesman who sold the car to this customer told me it was last Beetle available in Michigan. The salesman and I chuckled about the color name. I would have thought "Tornado" would more appropriately describe a shade of black or dark gray. Maybe the person who initially called it Tornado Red meant Tomato Red? ha ha

Above: 1966 VW Beetles ready to be shipped from Germany to US dealerships. I think I see mine!

Above: While on vacation in Mississippi in 2022, I passed a field of once loved but now discarded VW Beetles. Such great memories! This web page is supported with private funds. It is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not associated with Volkswagen, Volkswagen Group, Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, VW AG, Volkswagen of America, or any similar agents. The terms "VW" and "Beetle" are trademarked by Volkswagen AG, and used here only for descriptive purposes. This web page focuses on the Volkswagen Beetle and its predecessor, the KdF-Wagen. I intentionally do not include the history of the Nazi staff car Kübelwagen nor the Nazi amphibious vehicle Schwimmwagen (Schwimmfähig), both of which were early cousins to the KdF-Wagen. My thanks to all whose photos appear here, and to all whose writings helped build this summary.