|
Volkswagen Kubelwagen
|
1940 - 1944 |
Country: |
 |
Engine: |
Flat 4. |
Capacity: |
1131 cc |
Power: |
n/a |
Transmission: |
4 spd. man |
Top Speed: |
n/a |
Number Built: |
50,000+ |
Collectability: |
 |
|
As early as January of 1938, moves were afoot to produce
a military version of the Beetle for the war that lie
ominously ahead. There were many, many prototypes, but eventually two
main vehicles emerged as the war-time KdF-Wagens.
They
were the K�belwagen (literally, "bucketcar", but actually an
abbreviated version of K�belsitzewagen, "bucket seated
car") and the Schwimmwagen ("swim car").
The latter was an amphibious vehicle with a rear-mounted
propeller for water navigation. Only 14,283 were produced.
The K�belwagen was much more plentiful and practical
than the Schwimmwagen. It is an extremely austere,
rugged automobile built simply for war-use.
About 50,000 were made. Survivng examples of both cars
are scarce and very collectible. Production was from
1940-44 for the K�bel and 42-44 for the "Schwimmer". |
