A real shame that it couldn't pass today's EPA and DOT safety standards. Old Ad Week. A Swiggys-back event

Not sure how well they worked in summertime deserts. Anyone out there know?

Sounds good. I recall their engines looked basically like two motorcycle engines combined. Lightweight and easy to swap out. Easier when you were converting to a pipe frame dune buggy

Got me. I'll ask around.

Really makes me feel old that somebody has to "ask around" about the old Beetle. shouldn't be surprised, though, considering how few are left on the road. My best friend back in the 70's was a factory cert VW master mechanic.
Back when the Beetle started to roll on US streets, it initially wasn't taken too seriously. The 1958 recession made the Beetle a lot more attractive. My mom's ex was now driving one instead of his '55 Pontiac Super Chief. Detroit didn't get it, but the public did. The bug didn't really get any serious competition until the late 60's in the form of the Toyota Corona.
Again, shows my age that I remember how the auto scene we have now came about.

I've ridden in them, but never owned one. I read somewhere that Henry Ford was offered VW after the war and he turned them down.

the Wiki page talks about how the VW factory got shopped around after the war by the Allies...with no takers! Then, the British changed their policy on destroying German warworks and VW was spared the wrecking ball. The rest is history....