VW Classic Car Meet in Hanover on May 1st
On May 1st, nearly 10,000 visitors marveled at around 1,000 vintage vehicles during the 43rd VW "MaiKäferTreffen" (May Beetle Meet) in Hanover—confirming for all classic car enthusiasts that the way to the heart still runs through the car!
VW Beetles, "Bullis" (VW Vans), and more... in Hanover, you’ll see nothing but "H-plates" (historic vehicle license plates)—and some cars even sport two of them: one in the front and one in the back! ;-))))) (ENGLISH, ITALIANO, DEUTSCH)
Hanover – VW May Beetle Meet. The sun was shining, and today, over 1,000 VW Beetles, Bullis, and similar models vied with one another to see which could shine the brightest. They were admired by 10,000 classic car enthusiasts. This gathering isn't just about automotive design; it celebrates a car that, for generations, has become a cherished cultural icon—personally experienced, deeply loved, and truly lived. A good 20 years after production ceased, fans of the VW Beetle are still gathering in Hanover with their magnificent machines... It is hard to believe that series production of the VW Beetle began just over 80 years ago... From the start of mass production in late 1945 through 1955, a subtle evolution in the model could be observed—we need only mention the "Pretzel Window" (Beetle Type 1)! (See photo)... 50 years ago, the "Beetle City" of Wolfsburg saw the Beetle overtake the Model T in sales figures, thereby becoming the "World Champion" of production volume... Below: More VW classic car meets scheduled for 2026...
 |
| "Split-Window" Beetle — Volkswagen Split-Window or Oval-Window Beetles (up to model year 1957) — at the ACM Classic Car Meet on the Theresienwiese in Munich. Press photo: Helga Waess |
The Beetle Was a Product of the "Economic Miracle"
In total, 21,529,464 Volkswagen "Beetles" were produced, and the country became increasingly mobile. Many nations imported the Beetle; consequently, this distinctively rounded vehicle also became an "ambassador and symbol of goodwill for Germany."
The very last Volkswagen Beetle ever produced—bearing the chassis number B84M905162—is finished in "Aquarius Blue." Incidentally, it rolled off the assembly line in Puebla, Mexico, on July 30, 2003, at 9:05 a.m.
We recently compiled the history of the VW Beetle on our Arts & Culture Blog:
A BEETLE MAKES HISTORY: The VW 1200 and VW 1300 hit the road just over 70 years ago—affectionately nicknamed the "Beetle"—and continue to delight classic car enthusiasts and veterans to this very day… = EIN KÄFER SCHREIBT GESCHICHTE: Der VW 1200 und der VW 1300 kam vor gut 70 Jahren unter dem Spitznamen KÄFER auf die Straße und erfreut bis heute die Oldtimerfans und -Veteranen ...
Additional VW Classic Car and Beetle Meets This Year:
- May 14–17, 2026: Spring Meet of the "Brezelfenster" Association in Lauenburg/Elbe.
- June 19–21, 2026: Beetle and Classic Car Meet in Sulzberg/Allgäu.
- June 25–28, 2026: 9th International Volkswagen Veteran Meet in Hessisch Oldendorf.
- July 31 – August 2, 2026: Beetle Meet in Volkertshausen.
- August 14–16, 2026: 50th Anniversary Celebration of the "Käfer Team Göppingen" – vw-kaefer-team.de
 |
| Ein Käfer von VW, Foto: Helga Waess |
- Further information regarding these events can be found at: www.kaeferblog.com
 |
| VW Bulli T1 at the Classic Car Meet on the Theresienwiese in Munich; Press Photo: Helga Waess |
