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Wed Aug 10, 2005 7:43 pm

Rome wrote: Ben Pon, the Dutch VW importer in Amersfoort, brought in the first genuine export VWs in 1947. Many of you must remember the popular photo of a row of dark-colored Beetles viewed from the nose, with the tall Mr. Pon standing next to one. Those Beetles did have chromed bumpers and hubcaps.

VW offered an "export" model starting with the 1949 model year, which did have a bit more chrome and trim than Guy's car.

When I worked for the VW factory in Wolfsburg Germany from '80 thru '83, my very first business trip was to accompany somebody to drive to Pon's distributor office still in Amersfoort. By that time, the business was being run by his son. I was not as interested in vintage VWs at that time though. :(

While attending the Lottermann's great Vintage Meet in Germany back in '91, I met a man (Mr. Walter Herrmann, who has his type 82E Beetle featured in 9/05 HotVWs) who authentically restores vintage Beetles. He had a '47 Beetle at the show which was painted a more satin-look dark green, which was the correct sheen from the factory at the time. I do not know if the "chrome package" on Guy's car upgraded the paint to a glossy finish.

A little bit of fact checking...Ben Pon (pictured) brought 2 beetles over in 1949. they were both '48 models (notice hubcaps in photo). This photo shows one of them:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=221562

Wed Aug 10, 2005 7:48 pm

Don't think that is the Ben Pon pic Rome is referring to. He is talking about 1947, when VW started exporting out of Germany to other European countries.

Wed Aug 10, 2005 10:14 pm

The early cars had chrome, period pictures do not lie and cuz I said so!
8)

Thu Aug 11, 2005 6:00 pm

If you look close at the rear bumpers you will set thay are shorter than the stock pre 49 bumper and they should be more tapered at the ends. looks like modifeid later bumper to me.
Pre 49 bumper are rare are than hens theeth
cool car I cant wait to but my 47 besides it at a show.

Tue Aug 16, 2005 2:06 pm

It was decided by Wolfsburg, with exports in mind, quite early on (probably in '47) that not everybody in the world would like a 'dull' VW. To attract potential foreign buyers, it was suggested that some parts should be chromed to entice foreign buyers. Early Belgian (possibly un-official) exports in '47 and Swiss exports of '48 were usually shipped with chromed banana bumpers, nipple/large logo hubcaps and headlamp rims. These were known at the factory as 'export' models (but not sold as a deluxe/export model.
Meanwhile over in Merry Olde England, J Colbourne-Baber was happily purchasing the occasional car from Servicemen stationed in the UK (I have a couple of unpublished pics of his dealership somewhere dating from 1949). It was his policy to make these cars as shiney as possible to sell to the fickle UK market and hence he had these parts chromed.

Tue Aug 16, 2005 3:28 pm

hey guys My 51 std was brought into the USA in new york by Max hoffman the history from wolfsburg said it had chrome hubcaps , handles, and bumpers no other chrome anywhere. I am thinking about selling it but really dont have the time for tire kickers and pix lookers if anybody is interested call me at work 540 389 8587 later Mark Dearing

Wed Aug 17, 2005 1:33 pm

John Henry, quite right. My original post described those Pon Beetles lined up as seen from the FRONT (nose). The shot of Mr. Pon with the "first US Beetle" was taken from an entirely different angle.

Max Hoffman, based in NYC, usually had an excellent nose (and Midas touch) for the cars he distributed (among other cars, was the exclusive importer for BMW thru '75) but he must've had a head cold for the VW, sneezing it off in '55 when VoA was first established.

Wed Aug 17, 2005 2:53 pm

What a difference between here and the regular beetle forum. Over here the dialog is like a quiet discussion at the Jaguar dealership. Over there it's like Saturday afternoon at Chuck E. Cheese!

Thu Aug 18, 2005 7:41 am

"quiet discussion at the Jaguar dealership"

Precisely, Nigel!

Or since we are dealing with GERMAN cars, "Ja wohl, Fritz!"

Thu Aug 18, 2005 7:53 am

Which guy in the picture is Pon?
I've always assumed the guy on the left since he seems to be telling the other guy about the car but I've never heard for sure.
Anybody know? ..... and who's the other guy in the picture?

A quick Google turned up a picture of Pon, Jr. here:
http://www.bernardus.com/bw/biographies/bw5a.html

Strong resemblance to the guy on the left, so I think I answered my own question. I would still like to know who the other guy is.

Thu Aug 18, 2005 8:17 am

Cool. I wonder if Ben Pon Jr. makes a "Bordeaux Red". ???

Thu Aug 18, 2005 11:30 am

The caption above the picture reads:
One of the first export model Volkswagens pictured in 1947. These cars had improved paintwork and chrome-plated trim (courtesy VW)
If you click on the picture to enlarge, you can read it.
This is an official factory photo taken right in front of the factory itself !

Fri Aug 19, 2005 6:25 pm

Ben Pon picking up six of the first exports to Holland in 1947. Doesn't get closer to a factory photo than this (the factory is right behind). Note the chrome.

Sat Sep 10, 2005 9:57 am

Even the "cornerstone" cars had chrome bumpers. There is a picture of '46s being put on a train by British Army personal and they all have chrome bumpers. When I find it, I'll try to scan it in. If I remember right, the hubcaps were painted though. :?

Wed Sep 14, 2005 5:25 pm

well its 30,000 obo now so is it now worth it or not
do those id tags mean it is a one off deluxe

Wed Sep 14, 2005 5:37 pm

johnshenry wrote: Cool. I wonder if Ben Pon Jr. makes a "Bordeaux Red". ???

:D Now that's an intelligent question.