Volkswagen - "That's a load off our front." - printad, 1963

That's a load off our front.
Now you know why the Volkswagen Station Wagon has that sawed-off look. There is no front in front because we put our engine in back.
The advantages are obvious:
The Volkswagen is 4 feet shorter than standard wagons, but only 9 inches longer than the Volkswagen Sedan.
It parks like a little sports car. Yet inside, you can carry more stuff than any wagon made: 1632 lbs.
Then there are a couple of advantages that aren't so obvious.
The VW is nearly a ton lighter on its tires than standard wagons. So 35,000 miles to a set is not unusual.
And you'll never need water. Or anti- freeze. The engine's air-cooled. You get the kind of mileage people hope for in compact cars, to say nothing of big wagons. (24 mpg is average.)
And you're still pushing a hood in front? When all that could be behind you?