The little Beetle that took off with a mighty roar 70 years ago

It was in April 1953 that the first consignment of Volkswagens arrived on the shores of Lanka with the newly appointed agents M/s Clarence Amerasinghe & Company Ltd., who also shared the agency for Peugeot in Ceylon at the time. The first consignment comprised a batch of Double Glass VW Zwitter Models that belonged to the tail end of the Double Glass production which paved the way for the Oval Glass VW Beetle that began production in March 1953.

M/s Clarence Amerasinghe & Company set their sights on introducing this air-cooled gem of a car that was somewhat new to the driving public of Ceylon at the time. It had unique features with the main factor being the engine at the rear and the fact that it didn’t require water as well. To its remarkable plus points came the ease of handling and soft steering, not to mention the frugal nature of the car that won the hearts of many who took the plunge which began the rave of VW in Ceylon at the time.

The diminutive Beetle found many owners who took great delight behind the wheel as it proved its mettle with the ease of handling and its power very specially up the hills.

The VW Beetle became a firm favourite at the University of Peradeniya when Prof.

Sarathchandra Ediriweera drove in his new delight which caught the eye of many who joined the bandwagon of Beetle ownership. With the great following of the Beetle in the hill country, a branch operation was created in Kandy which was a resounding success.

Ceylon, having gained independence a few years prior to this new arrival, also sprung a new generation of young professionals who having completed their studies took up postings around the island which gave them the opportunity of a loan scheme to purchase a vehicle. Their preferred choice was the VW Beetle.

This was also the era when many ladies took to the wheel of the VW Beetle. The agents imported over 3500 Beetles from 1953 to 1960 prior to the import restriction of motor vehicles.

To celebrate this motoring legend, the Volkswagen Beetle Owners’ Club along with the former Agents will hold an event on Saturday May 13 where on display will be eight of the first consignment of VW Split Glass Zwitter Beetles at the same showroom which introduced the cars way back in 1953.

The venue would be at Car Mart Ltd., at Union Place, Colombo 2. Members of the Volkswagen Club will also meet at 4 p.m. on Saturday May 14 and the cars will be on display from morning at the Car Mart premises.