Russell Hayes and "Volkswagen Beetles and Buses: Smaller and Smarter"

Cars That Matter

EpisodeNov 23, 202031m

Russell Hayes and "Volkswagen Beetles and Buses: Smaller and Smarter"

Cars That Matter

EpisodeNov 23, 202031m

After a brief introduction, Robert takes a moment to marvel at the sheer number of Volkswagens that were produced (1:14) before Russell dives into the unexpected history of the 'people's car'...specifically the Beetle (3:02). Then Robert asks Russell to drill into the history of Volkwagen after the British involvement following WW2 with a man named Heinz Nordhoff (7:19) and VW's efforts to go international and the difficulties in sharing the Beetle's new style with other cultures (8:50). Then Russell examines the complex shared history of Porsche and Volkswagen and how the companies have continued their relationship to the present day (10:49). Before taking a short break, Robert asks Russell for his advice on the most collectible Volkswagens (13:07). Robert takes a brief detour to discuss the more obscure makes and models created by Volkswagen--like the Karmann Ghia (15:57) before steering the conversation back to the Volkswagen's arrival in America (18:41) and the creation and impact of the VW Bus (22:52). To conclude, the two men speculate on the future of the Beetle and Bus designs in Volkwagen's legacy (27:36). Get Russell's book: https://www.amazon.com/Volkswagen-Beetles-Buses-Smaller-Smarter/dp/0760367663 (Due to some technical difficulties in connecting across continents, there are some audio glitches at certain points in the recording that could not be removed.) LISTEN TO RELATED EPISODES: Brian Howard and Automobile Conservation https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/38-brian-howard-and-automobile-conservation/id1485928924?i=1000497743682 Diane Parker and the Historic Vehicle Association https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/39-diane-parker-and-the-historic-vehicle-association/id1485928924?i=1000498776283Freeman Thomas: Part 1https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/21-freeman-thomas-part-1/id1485928924?i=1000482838944 ------------------ Learn More: Cars That Matter Follow Us: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Hosted by: Robert Ross Produced and Edited by: Chris Porter Theme Music by: Celleste and Eric Dick A CurtCo Media productionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Cars that Matter is all about cars that have captured people’s hearts. They are the special cars, and they come from every decade since the dawn of the Automotive Age. They might be from the Brass Era or today’s Battery Era. They have names like 911 or SL, Corvette or Countach, or simply M. All have fueled passion in the people who created them, owned them, raced them, or sometimes—with remorse—parted with them. From CurtCo Media. On Cars That Matter, we talk with designers, engineers, race-car drivers, market experts, historians, restorers and collectors about the brightest luminaries in the aut...

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