Ref. Editor

Acknowledged air-cooled Volkswagen author, Richard Copping, shares his passion for the models produced in what he regards as the first golden age for the German car giant.

These were the years when VW was controlled by one Heinz Nordhoff, a man the press of the day variously referred to as the 'King of Wolfsburg', and 'Mr Volkswagen'. Early in his 'reign', Nordhoff told his workforce that he regarded his life's aim as being "to build this factory into Europe's premier car plant". Without him, the Beetle would not have become a world phenomenon, and a car that was in continuous production from 1945 to 2003.

Furthermore, the Transporter, most sought after these days in its camper-van incarnation, would not have revolutionised the world of the small commercial vehicle, while the elegant Karmann Ghia sports car would not have seen the light of day.

Nordhoff's creed of a service and spares organisation second to none and his unbending insistence on releasing only top-quality products, set the mould for the marque even today, but its initial success was only assured thanks to the unbending efforts of its tireless leader.

The story of the cult status VW's range achieved, in parts thanks to the most innovative advertising campaign the motoring world had ever known, carefully unfolds in the hands of someone who has studied the subject for over 20 years.