Volkswagen Beetle Coachbuilts And Cabriolets - 1940-1960

There are few cars that have inspired as much affection as the Volkswagen Beetle. Millions rolled off production lines looking reassuringly familiar, cheerfully unpretentious and about as aerodynamic as a determined loaf of bread. Yet beneath that iconic silhouette lay remarkable potential. Give the humble Beetle to a talented coachbuilder and suddenly it could emerge as a glamorous cabriolet, an elegant coupé or a bespoke creation that seemed scarcely related to the people’s car from which it began. Volkswagen Beetle Coachbuilts and Cabriolets celebrates those wonderfully inventive detours from automotive convention.

Published in 1993 by Bay View Books, Keith Seume and Bob Shaill explore the fascinating world of Beetle derivatives produced between 1940 and 1960. Far from being simply a catalogue of convertibles, the book delves into the remarkable variety of specialist coachbuilders who transformed Volkswagen’s dependable little car into machines of surprising elegance and individuality. From the celebrated cabriolets of Karmann and Hebmüller to far rarer and more obscure creations, it reveals a forgotten chapter in motoring history where craftsmanship and imagination flourished.

The photographs are a delight throughout. Beautifully restored examples sit alongside period images, factory photographs and archive material that capture an era when automotive styling was still shaped by skilled hands rather than computer simulations. Every page reminds the reader that there was once a time when small manufacturers could take an existing chassis and create something entirely new, often in tiny numbers and with astonishing attention to detail.

There is, naturally, a delicious irony in the whole enterprise. The Beetle was conceived as affordable, practical transport for the masses—a triumph of standardisation and simplicity. Coachbuilders immediately looked at it and thought, "Yes... but what if it were rather more elegant?" Before long, the world’s most democratic little car was quietly acquiring bespoke bodies, luxurious interiors and limited-production exclusivity. It is perhaps the automotive equivalent of buying a sensible pair of walking shoes and then commissioning Savile Row to improve them.

The authors also provide valuable historical context, charting the post-war revival of the European motor industry and explaining how specialist coachbuilders helped satisfy demand for vehicles that manufacturers themselves were not producing. The result is more than a picture book; it becomes a history of craftsmanship, entrepreneurship and the wonderfully optimistic years when Europe’s roads began filling once again with beautifully designed automobiles.

What emerges most clearly is the sheer diversity of the Beetle’s extended family. Today we tend to think of the Beetle as one instantly recognisable shape, but this volume reveals a surprising array of elegant convertibles, sporting coupés and highly individual coachbuilt specials. Many were produced in tiny numbers and are now among the most desirable Volkswagens ever built, prized by collectors precisely because they transformed familiarity into rarity.

This copy is in Very Good condition, remaining clean, attractive and highly presentable. It is an excellent acquisition for Volkswagen enthusiasts, classic car collectors, automotive historians or anyone who appreciates the artistry of coachbuilding during one of motoring’s most creative periods.

Whether your dream garage already contains an air-cooled Volkswagen or you simply enjoy discovering the hidden stories behind famous cars, Volkswagen Beetle Coachbuilts and Cabriolets – 1940–1960 offers a rewarding journey through one of the most charming corners of automotive history. It proves that even the world’s most recognisable small car was perfectly capable of dressing for a rather more glamorous occasion.

Sold, as always, by Crappy Old Books—because sometimes the most interesting classics aren’t the ones everyone remembers, but the wonderfully eccentric cousins that quietly refused to look like everybody else.

Keep browsing: See more Transport books Other books by Keith Seume and Bob Shaill