Once upon a time, the vehicle called Beetle from the Germany-based car manufacturer
Volkswagen ruled the streets. The distinctive shape, sound and reliability of
this little contraption did not go unnoticed, eventually developing popularity
so great it was a winner by landslide. The Beetle consequently enjoyed a cult
status and a fan base that numbered millions. This is largely because of the vehicle’s
amazing affordability, making it a staple throughout each and every street.
The Beetle continued to enjoy its rule, but only until the coming of cheap Japanese
econoboxes that everyone increasingly started to turn to. These cars abounded
the automobile market without much effort, consequently making sales of the Beetle
drop at an alarming rate. Volkswagen had to think of something that would save
them from great disaster, and the result was the development of a much better
alternative – a small, front-wheel drive car that was far cheaper and more economical
than its predecessors.
Volkswagen’s answer to Japan’s econoboxes then came into being. Christened the
Volkswagen Rabbit, the vehicle featured a water-cooled, front transverse-engine
and front-wheel drive design. The Rabbit was also responsible for revolutionizing
small car design and manufacture. It became the first one to be successful in
the mass market, creating a legion of fans who all attest to the vehicle’s greatness.
The Rabbit did not change much over the years, but it went on to undergo a lot
of improvements. After nine years, it gave way for the production of the Volkswagen
Golf. The car then went on to become Volkswagen’s best-selling model in history
and is in continuous production until now. The clamor for something as great has
never died down.
Although the existence of original Rabbit vehicles nowadays is limited, they
are still extremely sought-after vehicles. It may be true that some good things
never last, but they don’t completely die out. Not completely.