Volkswagen Schwimmwagen
The Schwimmwagen was technically based on the Volkswagen Kübelwagen, which in turn was derived from the civilian KdF-Wagen, later known as the Volkswagen Beetle. It was built by the Volkswagen factory in Stadt des KdF-Wagens. The bodywork was designed by Erwin Komenda, chief body designer at Porsche. Komenda patented his ideas for a floating car at the German patent office. Three-bladed propeller, retractable. Roughly two types are known. Thirty examples of the Schwimmwagen model Type 128 were built and delivered in 1941. This was followed by several small series under a different type number, which differed slightly from the first design. However, the model proved prone to twisting and was succeeded by Type 166 with a forty-centimeter shorter wheelbase, making the bodywork much stiffer. A prototype series of 125 units of this model was first built by Porsche in Stuttgart. Both types are powered by the air-cooled four-cylinder boxer engine of the KdF-Wagen, but with a larger displacement (1131 cm³).
The Schwimmwagen was technically based on the Volkswagen Kübelwagen, which in turn was derived from the civilian KdF-Wagen, later known as the Volkswagen Beetle. It was built by the Volkswagen factory in Stadt des KdF-Wagens. The body was designed by Erwin Komenda, chief body designer at Porsche. Komenda took out a patent for his ideas for a floating car at the German patent office.
Three-bladed propeller, folded up. Roughly two types are known. Thirty units of the Schwimmwagen model Type 128 were built and delivered in 1941. This was followed by a few small series under a different type number, which deviated slightly from the first design. However, the model proved to be prone to twisting and was succeeded by Type 166 with a forty centimetre shorter wheelbase, making the body much stiffer. A test series of 125 units of this model was first built by Porsche in Stuttgart.
Both types are powered by the air-cooled four-cylinder boxer engine of the KdF-Wagen, but with a larger cylinder capacity (1131 cm³). The engine drives two or four wheels, as desired. At the rear of the car is a tilting three-bladed propeller which, when lowered, is driven by a power take-off on the engine via a short chain. The propeller drive was not used in combat situations.
In total, over fifteen thousand Schwimmwagens were built, of which over fourteen thousand in the Volkswagen factory. The Schwimmwagen was often used for reconnaissance, and had an average lifespan of six weeks at the front. Production was stopped in 1944.
This Schwimmwagen presented here is a highly original one. The engine runs beautifully and it handles very well in the water. This Schwimmwagen recently received a new TUV inspection and is therefore registered in Germany. We bought this amphibian in Portugal. A perfect Volkswagen Schwimmwagen for the true enthusiast.