Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Information About The Classic Kubelwagen

By Catalina Nielsen


If you have been interested in the classic German military Kubelwagen there are many clubs and organizations all over the World where collector's can meet. The Kubelwagen originally was engineered and designed by Ferdinand Porsche during the Second World War in Germany for the German Wehrmacht. Volkswagen produced and built the cars to help the German army as well as the elite SS.

Kubelwagen is a German word which when translated means bucket car since the soldiers thought the design looked similar to a bath tub with wheels placed on it. The Wehrmacht and SS both used the vehicles for field work and for transportation of soldiers in the field of battle. The original Volkswagen Beetle was the original inspiration for the design and it was built off of it's chassis and body. The Nazi government ordered many of the vehicles during the course of the war.

The original prototype was referred to as Type Sixty Two and then later known as Type Eighty Two. Originally the vehicle was assembled at the plant in Wolfsburg in the western part of the country. In many ways it was the German version of the American Jeep and it was built better than many of the Allies counter parts. Hitler as well as other high ranking Third Reich officials wanted an inexpensive and reliable vehicle for the military to use.

The car was engineered and designed to withstand all of the extreme conditions it may face in war including ice and snow as well as mud and sand. The vehicle was very reliable and proved to be useful as well as reliable in all the conditions it faced. There were models that even allowed the driver to use the car as a boat and drive in water. The submersible technology that was used at the time was very advanced.

Even the United States army captured some models in North Africa in 1943 and commented on how the vehicle was superior to the Jeep in comfort, reliability and the fact that it was easier to maintain. The entire military of the Greater German Reich used the automobile as well as other countries allied to Germany such as Italy. Usually the vehicle was painted in a khaki or camouflage color.

Volkswagen later designed several other variants that even had closed and retractable roofs as well as longer versions that could allow more soldiers to ride in them. One unusual version was the panzer half track variety which even had tracks placed on it that could go over all terrains. After World War Two finally ended in 1945 Volkswagen began to produce commercial versions that were named the Thing which were later sold all around the World.

The Schlepperfahrzeug version and the Schwimmwagen version were some of the most unusual and rarest forms ever produced by any country during the entire war. Today there are many collectors who seek out the original versions and buy them when they become available at auctions and sales. Many museums also have added the vehicle to their collections and the car is a proud part of the history of German engineering.

If you have been researching the classic German Kubelwagen then you already know how they are a very fascinating vehicle. For additional details as well as information about the cars you are encouraged to go on the internet and find collector's clubs and other organizations who keep track of the vehicles and registration. You also will be able to find additional articles and details concerning the vehicle as well.




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