Main content

The car that charmed Brazil

How the Brazilian version of the VW Beetle, the Fusca, won a special place in the nation's heart.

Since its launch in the 1950s, the Brazilian version of the VW Beetle has had a special place in the nation's heart. Cheap, charismatic and virtually indestructible, it was many Brazilians' first car and is affectionately known as the Fusca.

The Fusca played a key role in the development of Brazil's economically and politically vital national car industry.

In 2014, Candace Piette spoke to two Fusca superfans, Silio Boccanera and Edivaldo Fernandes.

(Photo: A Fusca in the colonial town of Paraty. Credit: Getty Images)

Available now

9 minutes

Last on

Sat 10 Sep 2022 23:50GMT
成人快手 World Service Australasia

More episodes

Previous

The Candelaria child massacre

Next

The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II

See all episodes from Witness History

Broadcasts

  • Fri 9 Sep 2022 21:50GMT
    成人快手 World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
  • Sat 10 Sep 2022 02:50GMT
    成人快手 World Service except Australasia
  • Sat 10 Sep 2022 23:50GMT
    成人快手 World Service Australasia

Podcast