Prototype & 1950 Details

[Scotty]

Looking at the very earliest official literature, you can see there are various details that didn't make it in to production. The prototype buses definitely looked quite different from production buses.

However, looking at some of the pictures I wondered if a few of the details ever made it on to production vehicles.

The earliest brochures from 1950 show pictures of the prototype buses, and it is a picture of the interior that got me wondering:

The right hand picture shows the bulkhead with some pre-production grab handles (and vertical ribs going all the way to the bottom of the panel), and only just visible is a vertical rib on the cab door panel.

A similar photo from a slightly later brochure:

This time the grab handles look different, but not like the grab handles fitted to most barndoors. The vertical ribs now stop at the top of the rubber kick panel, but the vertical rib is still visible on the cab door panel.

This photo looks to be from a production bus (rather than a prototype) as the seats look correct, as does the floor mat etc. But I have never seen those grab handles before, or cab door panels with that vertical rib. Has anyone else seen a bus with those features, or were they re-designed before buses were sold?
_________________

[RockStock]

If this is the factory runabout 20-0010, it suggests the door panel rib didn’t make it
_________________
-StockRocks-

[Brezelmeister]

First of all it´s not uncommon that brochures and manuals differ from real production cars as they print many months before cars were actually built.

Also if you look at the photo of what could be 20-0010 photo is probably taken 1953 or later. First of all it´s pretty worn, seat and steering column etc.
It also has later style gear knob and chromed metal ashtray.
Looks like it also has steering lock.

With that said factory prototypes and rolling "test-beds" are often changed over time so door cards could actually have been changed a few times.

[Scotty]

20-0010 is a panel van right? so would never have had fancy door panels anyway.

I'm assuming the differences I've highlighted never made it onto production vehicles, but you never know.
_________________

[bubba]

[finster]

I would guess that the grab handles are probably ones used on various buses (from other manufacturers) at that time and readily available. the design in the prototype phase was obviously going through revisions and improvements.
the vertical trim pleats going below the kick panel do not make much sense and I'm not surprised that changed. not only would the trim get scuffed but the shorter length of material per bus would cut costs.
_________________
"we're here on Earth to fart around" kurt vonnegut

nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect...

[Who.Me?]

Maybe the pleats were design cues taken from split window beetles?

_________________
Andy


Looking for info on my truck's history. Are you from Campbell California or nearby. Do you recognise it? ... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=636786

[Undis]

Such a great thread. I'm currently building a scale model of Number 1. In the process I've been studying the details. Thanks for posting a photo of the interior of Number 10. I note that in the photo it has a window wiper on the passenger side. This must have been retrofitted as the period photos of other prototypes had only one wiper, or was this originally like that on the last one? Another thing is the fuse box on the left of the pod. As far as I've seen the fuses were on the right side of the pod. Another observation is the panel that covers the inside of the nose here is in two pieces as on later production buses, however the earlier prototypes had it in one piece.
_________________
Check out my Facebook page: Volkswagen Prototypes.

[finster]

looking forward to seeing the end result undis, what kit are you basing it on?
_________________
"we're here on Earth to fart around" kurt vonnegut

nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect...

[Undis]

[finster]

thanks, you have been busy!
_________________
"we're here on Earth to fart around" kurt vonnegut

nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect...

[Scotty]

[Undis]

[Scotty]

[Undis]

Thanks Scotty,

I've read that thread several times. Some great info in there. Unfortunately, it has lost its mojo somewhat.
_________________
Check out my Facebook page: Volkswagen Prototypes.