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Sun Oct 17, 2004 12:55 am

I recall reading an article in either HVW’s or Trends that appeared about ten years ago that talked of a four wheel drive transmission that was stock on some type one platformed based German military vehicles during WW2.

Has anyone heard of these? Just wondering.

Sun Oct 17, 2004 4:34 am

Yes, it is the Kommanderwagen, Heard they don't drive worth a damn

Sun Oct 17, 2004 4:40 am

Sun Oct 17, 2004 4:59 pm

In '95 they had one at the Wolfsburg Museum....badass! They also had a 4wd bay window that was a prototype. I'm not into 4wd's, but in the winter it would be cool.

Mon Oct 18, 2004 4:57 pm

Denise Kern wrote: Yes, it is the Kommanderwagen, Heard they don't drive worth a damn

That thing could drive like a covered wagon. I'd still roll it.

But wasn't that thing only 4 X 4 in first gear?

Mon Oct 18, 2004 6:59 pm

the Schwimwagon was also 4x4.....and amphibious...

Mon Oct 18, 2004 7:28 pm

That's the chassis these 4x4 Bugs used, Schwimm chassis. Schwim trannies can go FWD as well as AWD with a flick of a lever (but not RWD).

Thu Oct 21, 2004 10:17 am

Called a type 82. Type 82E was jacked up but was only 2wd.

Tue Dec 21, 2004 3:02 pm

I have read from a couple of sources that the Schwimwagen was 4x4 only in first gear, where the Kommandeurwagen was full time 4x4.

I can't read Checkoslovakian but, I came across this page http://www.vwbroukklub.cz/html/autosalon/brom/brom.htm. Judging from the pictures he is building a Type 87 Kommandeurwagen from an old Split body and a Schwimwagen Driveline.

It looks awsome, that is something I would kill for... :lol: (just kidding)

I have read where Schwimwagen parts were fairly common in the former eastern block (Checkoslovakia, Poland, etc), well I don't know if common is the word but, Damn site more available than in the U.S.

the guy is a lucky bastich.. Oh but how nice it would be to get ahold of a complete Schwimwagen drivetrain...

Tue Dec 21, 2004 3:42 pm

After the war there were a surplus of Schwimm chassis form incompleted Swchimms. There was a kit car manufacturer that bought alot fo them (for dirt cheap) for their body, forgot who it was or what it looked like.

Tue Dec 21, 2004 4:04 pm

"That's the chassis these 4x4 Bugs used, Schwimm chassis."

Kinda sorta. Remember that the Schwimmwagen had a much shorter wheelbase than the Beetle. The 4WD "system" from the K-Wagen is from the S-wagen, but not the entire "chassis".

Down in Gmuend, Austria (State of Carinthia), in the Helmut Pfeifhofer museum, was a restored K-Wagen chassis complete with entire drivetrain. What a tremendous sight to see that "in the open" (no body mounted)! This was in the late '90's when I was there; I hope the museum still exists and that they still have that exhibit. That mueseum is on the same site where the very first Porsche 356 were built after the war. It does have mostly 356 items and derivatives, but had some early VW vehicles or other displays too.

Tue Dec 21, 2004 5:47 pm

Kubel Nick wrote: After the war there were a surplus of Schwimm chassis form incompleted Swchimms. There was a kit car manufacturer that bought alot fo them (for dirt cheap) for their body, forgot who it was or what it looked like.

That's interesting... So there is the possiblity of Schwimm componets floating around out there.. Now I am going to have dreams..... :wink:

There is a 4WD Rally bug out there..

http://www.davesport.com/cgi-bin/davesport/old_bug.html

He fabbed up a whole new fromnt end and used a Datsun differential and saab suspension parts. He also fabbed up a longer output shaft and flange for a T2 trans, would have been cheaper to use a T3 Syncro Tranny I think..

Tue Dec 21, 2004 6:31 pm

Ziptar wrote:

There is a 4WD Rally bug out there..

http://www.davesport.com/cgi-bin/davesport/old_bug.html

He fabbed up a whole new fromnt end and used a Datsun differential and saab suspension parts. He also fabbed up a longer output shaft and flange for a T2 trans, would have been cheaper to use a T3 Syncro Tranny I think..

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I have been looking for that site for almost a year! Thanks man, take care.

Thu Dec 30, 2004 9:48 am

I have been looking for one of these for years. I have had a lead on one in Northern Ca, but have not been able to locate the owner. These 4wd bugs used the trans from a swimwagon for the front transfer case. The pans were more like the std bug unit rather than a swimwagon. If anyone has any leads on one I would appreciate an email. Thanks