Though the VW Beetle and even the Beetle Bus get the lion's share of attention when people think about Volkswagen, it is the Volkswagen Kubelwagen that enjoyed an ironclad reputation for dependability. The Kubelwagen (translated as "bucket seat" car) was designed by Ferdinand Porsche for extenseive use in the Second World War. It was based extensively on the body of the Beetle and served the German army in much the same capacity as the jeep served the Allies.
Military application of the Volkswagen was discussed as early as 1934, but no formal approach was made until 1938. Third Reich officials asked Ferdinand Porsche for an inexpensively produced, light weight vehicle for military transport that was able to stay operation in extreme conditions both on and off road. They suggested that the vehicle could be based on the Beetle. Porsche started work right away, and had a prototype available in a month. However, it was soon realized that the Beetle chassis wasn't strong enough or able to be reinforced enough to handle military stresses. The fact that the vehicle itself could not weigh more than five hundred fifty kilograms was a serious limitation as well. Development for the vehicle, called the Type 62, continued during 1939. The body design became quite angular, and pre-production models saw their field test during the invasion of Poland in September 1939.
Mass production of the Kubelwagen started in Febuary 1940. There were no major changes until 1945, with only a few minor modifications implemented. Four wheel drive and different engine types were tried, but they didn't offer a great increase in capability or performance, so Germany stuck with the original Kubelwagen design until the end of the war, when production ceased. Over the course of the period when the Kubelwagen was made, more than fifty thousand of these vehicles had been produced, and they'd all proved to be quite durable, reliable and useful.
Decades after the war, the Kubelwagen was revived as the Type 181 in 1969 and then later in 1983. Civilian sales stopped in 1980, with all production otherwise being military. The Type 181 was also called the Kurierwagen in Germany, the Trekker in the UK, the Safari in Mexico, and the Thing in the US. The vehicle was seen as a profitable venture because it could use many pre-existing design elements and parts. The Kubelwagen was only available for sale in the US between 1972 and 1975 as it failed to meet stringent safety standards. This vehicle was inexpensive and easy to maintain, which made it popular with many world governments.
Currently, the Kubelwagen is a very collectible car. It has become something of a cult classic, due to its shaping and easy maintenance. These vehicles can be found in a number of cities for a wide range of prices. Fair condition Kabelwagens can be bought for $3000, while fully restored models can be found for as much as $15,000. Some versions have sold for even more, with four selling for more than twenty thousand apiece in a 2007 auction, and one selling for more than $40,000.
Military application of the Volkswagen was discussed as early as 1934, but no formal approach was made until 1938. Third Reich officials asked Ferdinand Porsche for an inexpensively produced, light weight vehicle for military transport that was able to stay operation in extreme conditions both on and off road. They suggested that the vehicle could be based on the Beetle. Porsche started work right away, and had a prototype available in a month. However, it was soon realized that the Beetle chassis wasn't strong enough or able to be reinforced enough to handle military stresses. The fact that the vehicle itself could not weigh more than five hundred fifty kilograms was a serious limitation as well. Development for the vehicle, called the Type 62, continued during 1939. The body design became quite angular, and pre-production models saw their field test during the invasion of Poland in September 1939.
Mass production of the Kubelwagen started in Febuary 1940. There were no major changes until 1945, with only a few minor modifications implemented. Four wheel drive and different engine types were tried, but they didn't offer a great increase in capability or performance, so Germany stuck with the original Kubelwagen design until the end of the war, when production ceased. Over the course of the period when the Kubelwagen was made, more than fifty thousand of these vehicles had been produced, and they'd all proved to be quite durable, reliable and useful.
Decades after the war, the Kubelwagen was revived as the Type 181 in 1969 and then later in 1983. Civilian sales stopped in 1980, with all production otherwise being military. The Type 181 was also called the Kurierwagen in Germany, the Trekker in the UK, the Safari in Mexico, and the Thing in the US. The vehicle was seen as a profitable venture because it could use many pre-existing design elements and parts. The Kubelwagen was only available for sale in the US between 1972 and 1975 as it failed to meet stringent safety standards. This vehicle was inexpensive and easy to maintain, which made it popular with many world governments.
Currently, the Kubelwagen is a very collectible car. It has become something of a cult classic, due to its shaping and easy maintenance. These vehicles can be found in a number of cities for a wide range of prices. Fair condition Kabelwagens can be bought for $3000, while fully restored models can be found for as much as $15,000. Some versions have sold for even more, with four selling for more than twenty thousand apiece in a 2007 auction, and one selling for more than $40,000.
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