The real fun is navigating the interface. You have a steering wheel for moving the terms gradually, and another circular menu that overlays it to navigate terms alphabetically. The only disappointment is that there are no images for any of the descriptions.

Still, it’s a fun little app. Do a little research and impress you friends! Or, read up before you take your ride in for service.

The first starts with VW’s foundation by one Adolph Hitler and moves on to explain the history surrounding the birth of “the people’s car”, it’s rise to popularity, the labor union’s stranglehold on management and how Porsche could be VW’s savior.

The second deals more with the company’s future, looking at the partnership with DaimlerChrysler, fixing production problems with the Golf (Rabbit) and it’s continuing success in China.

Great stuff as always from TTAC. Happy reading!

The winners will receive a 2007 Volkswagen Touareg V10 TDI for their personal use for six months. Wait..that’s it? The people who win this thing have cars that are close to if not 30 years old. VW can’t pony up for a full year lease? I love the spirit, but how about some more stuff? Like an interview in Driver magazine, some gear, maybe a feature on the website AND a year lease. These people have been babying these cars for awhile I’m sure – let’s really treat ‘em, eh?

Still, it’s a neat idea, and I tip my cap to VW marketing once again. Now if I can just find a ‘77 Rabbit on eBay for mega cheap…

In 1933, Adolf Hitler met with Ferdinand Porsche to discuss their mutual interest in an affordable car for the masses, and thus began what some call darker times in Volkswagen’s history. It was through this partnership that Volkswagen found itself at the service of the Nazi war machine in the coming years. More on that later in our series.

Hitler wanted a car that would provide better fuel economy (33mpg), could carry up to 5 passengers, be able to reach speeds in excess of 60mph, yet cost only 1,000 Reich Marks. This first model born of Hitler’s and Porsche’s partnership was designated the Type 60, but soon after was changed to the V1, or experimental 1. Hitler also proposed a convertible version, designated V2, but impossibly tight production deadlines prevented Porsche from being able to design and build the cars in time. By 1935, the first cars were built, and soon after the V1 design was updated. Named the VW3, this new design looked very similar to the KdF Wagen (Kraft durch Freude, or strength through joy) which would come along a few years later.

The VW3 carried many new engineering developments to the forefront, including metal floors, swing axle rear transmissions, Porsche’s famous front independent suspension, and backbone floorpans. Though many different engine types were tested in the VW3, Hitler and Porsche settled on an aircooled flat four cylinder four stroke engine.

This engine choice proved to be a good one since it turned out to be cheaper and more reliable than others that were tested. Putting out 22.5 hp, this little four cylinder “boxer” engine was almost identical to the one that is found in the iconic Volkswagen Beetle of today. (Not the New Beetle, of course, but the classic Beetle.)

Speaking of icons, Erwin Komenda, Porsche’s chief designer, created the distinctive round shape that is so familiar today. It was one of the first vehicles to be designed with the aid of a wind tunnel.

Hitler conceived a savings scheme for purchasing the car as well: “Fünf Mark die Woche mußt Du sparen, willst Du im eigenen Wagen fahren” — “Save five Marks a week, if you desire to drive your own car”. Around 336,000 people bought into this scheme, and Volkswagen did honor the savings agreements, but only after World War II. Ford conducted a similar coupon savings system but did not follow through on its agreement.

In 1938, construction began on Volkswagen’s first factory in the town of KdF-Staft, now known as Wolfsburg. Only a few cars were produced before war started in 1939, and none of those were actually delivered to those who had completed their savings stamp books, save one Type 3 Cabriolet given to Hitler for his 50th birthday.

With war on the horizon, production turned towards two military vehicles: the Type 81 Kübelwagen utility vehicle and the amphibious Schwimmwagen. And with the dawn of world war, we wrap up the first part in our series on the History of the People’s Car. Stay tuned for Part 2!