1935 Volkswagen Maggiolino

1935 Volkswagen Maggiolino

Unfortunately, the only remnants of the original Maggiolino prototype were photographs. From these photographs, designers were able to calculate the exact measurements and sizes and recreate the original prototype. According to Werner Zinke, the individual responsible for the recreation, every detail was identical to the original.

The Maggiolino project began in 1934 when Adolf Hitler desired a 'car of the people' to be built that was economical and provided ample speed. Ferdinand Porsche was tasked with designing and building the mechanics of the vehicle. By 1936 three prototypes had been created, two were sedans and the third was a cabriolet.

With the onset of the Second World War, the factory that had been created to produce the Maggiolino was tasked with building military vehicles.