Maikäfer

In the first months of 1931, Ganz constructed a lightweight "volkswagen" ("people's car") prototype at Adler with a tubular chassis, a mid-mounted engine, and swing axle independent rear suspension.

[1] After a shift in management, further development of the Maikäfer was stopped towards the end of 1931 and Adler concentrated on new car models with front-wheel drive.

Josef Ganz was allowed to keep the Maikäfer prototype and kept on using it as his personal car and demonstration model for his patented Volkswagen design until around 1950.

Not only is the resemblance to the classic "Beetle" shape obvious, particularly the second design iteration (model 1934), but so are many of the technical details including the rear-mounted multi-cylinder engine, special characteristics of the chassis, and suspension.

While the Volkswagen Beetle was produced in its millions after World War II, the name of Josef Ganz was largely forgotten.