Volkswagen
Beetle – the one-millionth Volkswagen (gold, 1955)

Why it matters

The one-millionth Volkswagen Beetle was built on 5 August 1955. The factory celebrated the production milestone with a special gold-coloured finish.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

The Beetle was in its 1200 series in 1955, with a 1.2-litre engine of 22 kW (30 PS) introduced in 1954. Volkswagen records the milestone as a production anniversary rather than a model update. Model-year changes that year included single-piece rear lights, an enlarged boot and twin exhaust pipes.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The factory page names two features of the celebration car: gold-coloured paintwork and bumpers trimmed with glass beads.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   Beetle (Käfer) 1200/1200L (1954–1973/1973–1985) Level A Volkswagen Newsroom (Volkswagen Classic archive)

   • on 5 August 1955, the one millionth VW Beetle rolls off the production line
   • more powerful 1.2-litre engine with 22 kW (30 PS) (Beetle 1200 page)
   • 1.2-litre engine with 22 kW (30 PS) (Beetle 1200 page)

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   Volkswagen Newsroom – Beetle (Käfer) 1200/1200L Level A

   • 1 the individual gold-painted one millionth VW Beetle, built 5 August 1955

   Accessed 2026-11-12