During the Cold War, one ordinary Volkswagen Beetle became part of an extraordinary escape.
In this true story, we look at the incredible moment when a determined driver modified his VW Beetle, accelerated toward the East Berlin border, smashed through the barbed-wire barrier, and escaped from communist East Germany into West Berlin.
Discover the history behind one of the most remarkable Volkswagen stories ever told, the engineering that made it possible, and why this daring escape became part of Cold War history.
Last Updated: July 13th, 2026