WWII era Beetle

[geneL3c]

I'll try Sam Steel again on Monday, he doesn't seem to respond with anything other than a pre-programmed message unless you e-mail him during Spanish work hours, taking into consideration the different time zone. I think there is a 5-hour difference to EST. Gene

[geneL3c]

fifty-eight rag, the ambulance sounds like a really cool project, but I believe it also was on the Kublewagen chassis ? Gene

[Fifty-Eight Rag]

[Fifty-Eight Rag]

[geneL3c]

fifty-eight rag, Just went through your Oval window build thread, very impressive work, you should have no problem doing your Ambulance ! Gene

[Fifty-Eight Rag]

[geneL3c]

I sympathize with you about long term projects. My Typ 87 started as a Typ82e many years ago and I am just now in a position to put it on the front burner. I have had too many project ideas pulling me in different directions with the result that none of them really got the attention needed to complete even the simplest. Now that I'm focused on one, it seems to be finally moving forward with a practical plan for completion. It took me many years to even find the proper donor car because, as you mentioned, you didn't want to " violate " a good original. Even my '50 Split Window sits awaiting installation of one of John Henry's amazing wiring harnesses to get it back on the road. Gene

[bakersam]

Gene, Regarding Steel. I'd written them last month regarding availability of a specific part (one of their repro "T" air cleaners). They quickly responded that they'd be available in February. I received an email earlier this week that they now had them if I was still interested. I responded "Yes" (then got their out of office message in response), and paid. I got the tracking number a day or two later...all since this past Monday. I think more than one person picks up the email on their end, and this has more to do with their responsiveness (or lack thereof) than anything else I can deduce. I've done significant business with Steel over the years, and always got a response...sometimes sooner...sometimes later.

[geneL3c]

bakersam, Thanks for the hopeful update, I will keep trying until he accepts my order, since obviously SOMEONE is awake there ! Gene

[Fifty-Eight Rag]

Stumbled across this. What an amazing restoration of a 1943 82e this is.
I can use this as reference for my replica.

http://ww2vw.com/galleries/kdf-beetle-type-82e-1943/
_________________
1956 Oval
and a barn full of VW parts

1956 Oval build thread
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

1962 Single Cab Restoration
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7959298#7959298

1967 Beetle Restoration
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=495269&highlight=larrys

[geneL3c]

No doubt it's a perfect museum quality restoration, but somehow I don't think they looked that good new from the factory ! Having said that, it certainly is the yardstick for accuracy. The other gallery has some very interesting original condition artifacts. Gene

[geneL3c]

Larry, If you haven't already found it, the Ambulance appears to be a Typ 83
" Kastenwagen ". Google search for " images " has some interesting photos. Gene

[Fifty-Eight Rag]

[Fifty-Eight Rag]

There is a Wiki page for the Kubelwagen and it's many variants, but a Type 83 isn't listed.
The "Kastenwagen" ambulance does appear to me to be riding high as if it's on a Kubelwagen chassis. Could it be an 82e that was modified for this purpose?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Kubelwagen
_________________
1956 Oval
and a barn full of VW parts

1956 Oval build thread
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

1962 Single Cab Restoration
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7959298#7959298

1967 Beetle Restoration
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=495269&highlight=larrys

[geneL3c]

Mike, That would be my guess, wartime needs would probably be more important than perfect records ? Gene

[Fifty-Eight Rag]

[geneL3c]

Mike, I got a couple of 1:35 model kits made by CMK in Czechoslovacia that have really good detail, I think I saw one for the ambulance when I Googled the Typ 83. Gene

[Fifty-Eight Rag]

[Second Air Force]

Here's a photo of Typ numbers when the British had control. I nipped this from Etzold's volume 2 of Beetle Chronicles. (It does say 83 when you see the image in person, sorta looks like 85 in the photo).

_________________
1956 Standard Sedan

[geneL3c]

Mike, Well here we go again, sent an order in to Sam Steel and not surprising I got back the standard response, " not taking orders, try again in March " ! Some way to run a business. I'm starting to think maybe he just doesn't like Americans ? Gene