Hitler and the VW Beetle

[leon21]

Here's Hitler on Gala day 1938 at the Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg, climbing aboard a prototype convertible Beetle. One of three models that had been designed by Ferdinand Porsche who is stood behind Hitler in the photo's. The original concept of the design was the Czechoslovakian Tatra T97, Hitler instructed Ferdinand Porsche to go and steal the design of the Tatra T97 from the Czech's and turning the design into the Volkswagen Beetle. When Dr Porsche voiced his concern about a Tatra lawsuit, Hitler reassured the good doctor that he would settle the matter, which he did by invading Czechoslovakia. 

[Kenny Andrew]

interesting, some one once told me Hitler had designed the vehicle with a rough sketch which Porsche then worked on. Did not know it was based on a Czech design ,good way to avoid a lawsuit.  I think Britain was offered the VW after the war for nothing but we didn't want it, which was a bad move.

[Kenny Andrew]

Just looked into the Tatra T97 , here is a picture. After the war, Tatra reopened the lawsuit against Volkswagen and In 1967, the matter was settled when VW paid Tatra 3,000,000 DM in compensation. 

[leon21]

Think I like the VW model better.

[Fritz]

Normally the issue is "verjährt" after 30 years, by German law, VW probably made an "außergerichtlicher Vergleich" (out of court settlement) for reasons of goodwill and to keep the peace.