VW is one of the great things that came out of Germany and Economics.
Good point Jay, and no one is disputing that VW are an inspirational company, and have been for many years. I also hear what you say about "Godwins Law" that I have heard of before, but I'm now better informed through the Wiki link that you provided
However, the OP made a direct observation that the early VW emblem, resembled the "German Cross"
"I never knew the original logo looked.. So... Weird. It looks very much like a German cross"
I hope I answered his question honestly, and he can see why the early Logo was designed like it was. and form his own opinion, with the links provided
Thom
Thom it just makes me chuckle as I had the same conversation in Hong Kong about Japanese car maker Mitsubishi they made loads of fighter planes and motors for Japan and I've lost loads of family in the Asian world war. But some of my family member's refuse to buy Japanese made cars, but still drive German funny one politics and history!
Once people get past the moral part of history we can view history for what it actually really is mistakes and Economics!
As for the Swastika I see that as something religious in my culture, shame most people don't even realise there are actual Swastika's dotted around old London buildings for religious reasons!
Guess the more we actually discuss it the moral implications are just of one rantings of an insane man!
Iron crosses is another symbol for velour and bravery good or bad light or dark some symbols in history have great significance that echo even through the present day!
Jay, thats an interesting viewpoint, and I have a similar story about my Dad, long story short, towards the end of WW2, he was assigned to work with the Americans (101st Airborne) on D-Day as a special radio operator (SOE) ten months later, he found himself, with other Allied forces at the front gates of Belsen concentration camp, what he must have witnessed on D-Day, and the liberation of Belsen, is beyond words
He also spent much of the War, and some time after, setting up X-Stations (Clandestine radio stations) in the Far East, Burma, Malaysia, Philippines etc, where he also got first hand experience at just what the Japanese were capable of! and it seems that this had a more lasting effect!
When I was a kid, I would ask him why he would never buy a Jap car, and the answer would always be, because of how the Japs treated the POWs, especially of the Soldiers that were forced into the building of the Burma Railway...
Yet back in the 70s and 80s, he was happy to drive a BMW or Mercedes! and was always impressed at the level of the superb engineering skills of the Germans, that sadly is not evident today, like it used to be...
Mitsubishi, I believe are well over 100 years old, and started in heavy engineering related to shipping, there part in the Japanese war effort, can be likened to that of Ford, or Rolls Royce, Mercedes, or BMW for that matter, they were existing companies that were drawn into the war
VW on the other hand, were set up as a direct maneuver, by the Nazi Party to have a direct, and manipulating effect on the German masses, which also tied in very nicely with Hitlers push to complete the Autobahn system
Am I bothered by VWs history? well no! I have a 24 year old Mk2 GTI tucked away in my garage, and a virtually brand new Mk6 sitting on my drive, and I'm also on the hunt for some serious old Aircooled toys, be it VW or Porsche
I'm a bit like my Dad really
Thom
