Book excerpt: Written by Malcolm Bobbitt - whose companion Volkswagen titles cover the Karmann Ghia coupé and convertible, and possibly the greatest classic of all time, the VW Bus - this new edition of the Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet chronicles the history of this practical and sought-after classic. The author traces the Beetle Cabrio's ancestry and development from its pre-war origins through to 1980, by which time more than 330,000 models had been built, and up to the present day when in excess of 228,000 New Beetle cabriolets have been sold worldwide. As the car's engineering quality has ensured a very high survival rate, this book is also a guide to Beetle Cabrio ownership, providing buying advice, specifications, and information on customizing.