|
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 Kübelwagen (literally, "bucketcar", but actually an
abbreviated version of Kübelsitzewagen, "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 Kübelwagen 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 Kübel and 42-44 for the "Schwimmer". |
