Vintage Ads of the 1960s and 1970s Depicted the Airtight and Floating Capabilities of the Volkswagen Beetle

If you have you ever asked yourself “do Beetles float?”, the answer is yes: the original Volkswagen Beetle would indeed float on water. However, it is certainly not recommended that you experiment with this.

The original Volkswagen Beetle, with its unibody construction and airtight seals, had the capability to float under certain conditions. With an intact and rust-free floor pan, the Beetle could remain buoyant in water. Print advertisements were used to prove the car’s amphibious ability.

According to historical print and TV ads from the 1960s and 1970s, one such experiment suggested that the Beetle floated for approximately 42 minutes. However, it is important to note that while the Beetle was able to float, it was not designed for prolonged water travel.

In practice, the Beetle would float for a limited time before eventually losing buoyancy. A TV commercial for the car clearly states, “although the Beetle does definitely float, it will not float indefinitely.”