VW 30

[sonicjagstang]

I have been fascinated with the history of the beetle since childhood and have often wondered what may have remained of any prototypes or parts and have had most of my questions answered here on the Samba but I am confused about some elements of the recreations of the prototypes.

I am not certain if some things had to be slightly altered for a reason or if it was merely an oversight on someones part. I am not trying to put down anyone involved with the recreations or the cars themselves as they are truly astounding and as close as we will probably ever come to an original.

I noticed that the leading edge of the front trunk lid on the gray car and the blue car have a straight edge as to where the originals had a slightly curved edge. Also the fenders are far too wide on the blue car and its low ride height make it appear to be floating.

I am not certain what size wheels the prototypes had but the blue one has 16" wheels which look appropriate to the scale of the car but seem wrong because of being "tucked" in too far. The gray car looks proportionally more accurate overall but the wheels look a bit too large and leads to me to wonder if they are bigger than 16" or if the body is slightly scaled down from the original.

Also both cars have an issue with the headlights as the fenders may not be swept the same as the originals making the headlights protrude from the fenders a bit more than they should, most noticable on the blue car.

I have many pictures of the originals and although they are not identical to one another either, it is in ride heighth and accessories not in styling where they differ.

As I mentioned I am by no means trying to put down the very talented persons involved with the construction of the cars or the result of their hard work as each car is amazing and was no small undertaking I am certain but given the photos and the literature that exsists of the prototypes it is surprising to me that there would be any flaws at all.

Now if I could just figure out how to insert a damned photo I could further illustrate these differences. LOL!

[belgianboxer]

I’m a bit puzzled about the exact type designation of this prototype, commonly named “VW30”. In Chris Barber’s book this prototype is referred to as “W30”. As far as know, no VW30 is not mentioned in his book. Then, on the Wolfsburgs museum display in Bad Camberg, I read “V30”.

Now, what is correct: VW30, W30 or V30…?

Thanks,
Paul

[IIIA-0426]

I would say both VW30 and W30 are accepted, there being a lot of original documentation with the latter name. I refer to the cars as W30.

One area of confusion is that Daimler-Benz used the W30 code for one of their products built in the mid 30's (Mercedes Type 150).

About the replicas, these could and should have been much better given the materials available. The V3 replica is way off.

[belgianboxer]

[peter schepens]

Paul, I think and I am prety sure about it that the V in V 30 stands for versuch... like On demand.
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[Undis]

Reminds me of one of those UFO sightings videos. Pretty cool anyway!

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=191932437497581

[Stetoppingphoto]

So i come across this picture on one of the various vintage VW groups i follow, now in my first opinion its just a clever photoshop but it appears to have later wheels?

It doesnt look like the blue replica to me as the wheels and chassis looks like that of a later beetle

do we have a 3rd replica?
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stetoppingphoto

[IIIA-0426]

My guess is that this photo was taken in Brazil, judging by the Fiat…

http://web.archive.org/web/20120105032155/http://w...cacao.html

Hope the link works, if not go to:

http://web.archive.org and search for http://www.brazukasoldbugs.com/vw-30-em-fase-final-de-fabricacao.html

The webpage with pics no longer exists, but a copy was made

[bart de laet]

[Stetoppingphoto]

They look great!
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stetoppingphoto

[tstracy39]

I linked the website of the Brazilian replica in that thread about the original VW30 chassis a year or so ago. It's nice to see that it appears to be finished, and I think the builder actually did a nice job considering the low budget build and limited parts availability in his home country.
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[JeffL]

[Capriacci]

Pics of the replica, taken here, in Brazil, in 2012:

[JeffL]

[ewanzke]

Hello to all:

Please be advised that we got the chance to have the VW30 from Wolfsburg as a loan for our Treffen 2014, down in Mexico City......it has been an adventure.....

23rd of novembre....

www.karmann-vw-vintage.org

[Blue Baron]

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We are striving for perfection, to make our cars run forever, if possible.

Heinz Nordhoff

[Blue Baron]

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We are striving for perfection, to make our cars run forever, if possible.

Heinz Nordhoff

[Danpa]

What is that behind the 30?

[Grant Reiling]

[koenigsberg4ever]

A late Mercedes-Benz 170 H maybe ?
It was a rear-engined car which I would expect, Porsche had a good look at.