TheSamba.com :: View topic - Irish Assembled 1950 Beetle on Display in Dublin

Fri May 09, 2025 4:44 am

75 years ago, the first Volkswagen ever assembled outside of Germany was built on the Shelbourne Road in Ballsbridge, Dublin. That car was an almond-green Beetle, known today as the iconic ‘Ballsbridge Beetle’.
The ‘Ballsbridge Beetle’ normally resides in the Zeithaus museum at Autostadt GmbH, the headquarters of the Volkswagen Group in Wolfsburg, Germany. But, to mark this significant chapter in our history of 75 years in Ireland, the 'Ballsbridge Beetle' is back home in Dublin for a limited time.
We are delighted to share that the ’Ballsbridge Beetle’ will be proudly exhibited at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks on the first Saturday of June (7th), July (5th) and August (2nd) 2025.

https://www.volkswagen.ie/en/life-at-volkswagen/75-years-in-ireland/the-iconic-beetle.html

Sun May 11, 2025 12:34 pm

How appropriate that the first VW assembled outside of Germany was a green Beetle built in Ireland!

Tue May 13, 2025 5:53 am

Very cool story. I didn't even realize that it existed. A 1 of 1; hopefully they change out a couple of the later model engine parts to go with that extra rare car.

Tue May 13, 2025 3:05 pm

Did the Irish assembled caars have any markings on them to identify that they were assembled in Ireland? For example, The Aussie CKD cars had a 'MKA' number stamped in place of the body number on a German built Beetle.

Wed May 14, 2025 5:53 am

IN2VWS wrote: Did the Irish assembled caars have any markings on them to identify that they were assembled in Ireland? For example, The Aussie CKD cars had a 'MKA' number stamped in place of the body number on a German built Beetle.

Yes, the most obvious one is the shamrock that was etched onto the Irish made glass but there was also a number stamped on the body to distinguish them from German assembled VWs.
Myself and another Irish VW enthusiast are currently researching a book on Volkswagen in Ireland and have set up this website which you may find interesting.

Cathal

https://beetle.ie/

Wed May 14, 2025 11:47 am

irish 'shamrock' glass

early(?)

triplex

Thu May 15, 2025 11:50 am

finster wrote: a little background to the interesting photo above:-
The Volkswagen organisation in Ireland was founded by the late Stephen O'Flaherty.
In 1950, thanks to his vision and enterprise, the Volkswagen Beetle was introduced into Ireland. It was an initiative that was to change the face of Irish motoring and lead to the establishment of a nationwide industry that was to grow in significance and importance ever since.
Ireland's place in Volkswagen history was established in 1950 when a consigment of six Beetles arrived into Dublin packed in crates in what was termed 'completely knocked down' form ready to be assembled. A former tram depot was aquired for this purpose at 162 Shelbourne Road, Ballsbridge - the premises now occupied by Ballsbridge Motors.
There, the first Volkswagen ever built outside Germany was assembled thereby establishing Ireland's unique place in the history of Volkswagen worldwide. That first Volkswagen ever assembled outside Germany, which survives in its original condition is exhibited in the Volkswagen Museum in Wolfsburg, Germany.
With assembly output rising from 46 units in 1950 to 2155 units in 1952, the business quickly outgrew the Shelbourne Road facility leading to the purchase of new premises at Naas Road, Dublin.
In the new Naas Road premises, Beetle assembly continued non-stop until September 1977 when the production of the Beetle ceased in Europe. During this period, the Naas Road facility - which remains the headquarters of the company today - also assembled the renowned Volkswagen Transporter van.

Thu May 15, 2025 1:00 pm

Thank you very much for the info.

Sat Jun 07, 2025 7:01 am

date change -
Announcement: Due to forecasted weather conditions, the "Ballsbridge Beetle" will not be displayed at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks this Saturday, June 7th.
Instead, mark your calendars for:
Saturday, June 21st
Saturday, July 5th
Saturday, August 2nd

Wed Jun 18, 2025 9:38 am

So that's most likely to be the first RHD Beetle made? Do we know how many RHD splits were produced, and if any were made in Germany?

Wed Jun 18, 2025 12:17 pm

larjammer, see this thread - https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0