Porsche's model

[pastellgreen]

Stunning! Thank you for sharing this information.

These models are really awesome. Even the door windows can be moved.

[splitjunkie]

[finster]

the photo (from barber's book) of the 1/15th scale model for dr ley

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"we're here on Earth to fart around" kurt vonnegut

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

[pastellgreen]

And thank you for discussing these models here, otherwise I wouldn't have seen it, because I don't look into the toys-thread.

Frohe Weihnachten!

[splitjunkie]

[finster]

that's ok - I've inserted a photo of the 1/15th scale model in my earlier post.

bluebaron wrote - I've seen a photo of the one that was presented to Willi Messerschmitt, and it had a dent in the roof, which made it appear to be thin metal.

I would like to see that photo, couldn't find it on the net...
he got a full size car in june '43

_________________
"we're here on Earth to fart around" kurt vonnegut

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

[splitjunkie]

This is all I could find of the model with the dent. It looks like paint is missing on the left rear fender. It either looks rusted or like tarnished brass. Hopefully someone will post a better picture.

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Chris

You know, a lot of these scratches will buff right out... Jerry Seinfeld

[finster]

this dented one was auctioned in 2003. this is from the kdfwagenmodell webpage although they don't say what number car it is. it sold for 26,000euros -
Detailed one-off production of the prototype “pre-series VW 38 Porsche Type 60 1937/38” made of different metals, the seats and the floor covered with leather, the closed body made of embossed copper and painted black.

_________________
"we're here on Earth to fart around" kurt vonnegut

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

[splitjunkie]

That one definitely lead a rougher life, but is still quite complete overall. Hopefully it has been preserved rather than restored.

I notice that it has the three piece style bumper detail.
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Chris

You know, a lot of these scratches will buff right out... Jerry Seinfeld

[Blue Baron]

Okay, embossed copper. I said sheet brass. I was close! (Working from memory here, folks.)
_________________
We are striving for perfection, to make our cars run forever, if possible.

Heinz Nordhoff

[pastellgreen]

A question is, how accurate this description is. For me, on the pictures it looks like brass. Brass is also known to be used for modeling.
I know descriptons from high-end auction catalogues that are full with errors.

[splitjunkie]

I think it's more likely brass. Although, a quick search indicates that copper might be easier to form as brass is harder and more prone to stress cracking.

A question to me, is did they hand form these bodies or did they make dies to press them? Normally, you wouldn't dream of making press tools for a run of 5, but if they were made in the Porsche Apprentice school, I could see that as a worthy exercise to learn how to build the dies.
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Chris

You know, a lot of these scratches will buff right out... Jerry Seinfeld

[Undis]

Just adding to this thread.
The Robert Bosch scale model.

In 2020 I was alerted to an Instagram post showing previously unseen photos of a VW38 scale model located in the Bosch company archive.

The photos were made by Gregor Schilling at the Bosch archives and posted on his Instagram account @flat4flat6. I big thank you goes out to Gregor for taking these photos

The first scale model of the split-window VW38 was presented to DAF boss Robert Ley on 15th February 1938 which was his 48th birthday. This model was built to scale 1:15 and featured a period Berlin number plate IA-4714.

Later in the year there were five more slightly bigger models made to scale of about 1:13. Most sources say the models were built by workers at the Porsche factory at Stuttgart Zuffenhausen, however it may also be possible they were made at the Reutter workshops as this is where the early VW38 bodies were produced. One of the five models was given to Hitler on his 49th birthday and another went to Ferdinand Porsche himself. Number three of the series of five was given to Robert Bosch on his 80th birthday on 23rd September 1941. This particular piece has survived, however there is some unclear information as to the number of these models surviving to this day.

Chris Barber states in his book that one is at the Deutsches Museum in Munich, but the Robert Bosch model appears to be in the Bosch company archives. There is also a newspaper article stating that the Bosch model was to be sold at Christie’s Auctions in London. I have been advised that there are at least two of these models in existence.

The model itself is beautifully made featuring many details that are period correct for the VW38 such as all handles, the correct shape bumpers, fabric finished upholstery, detailed engine and gearbox and may other features. Interestingly the steering wheel looks more like the ones used on the three V303 cars. The rear license plate on the Robert Bosch car features the date 23.09.1941 which was the date of his 80th birthday.

The Robert Bosch scale model in its gleaming black paint finish. Note the proper shape front bumper only found on the early VW38 cars.

It appears the door window glass winds down or is it in a fixed half-open position?

The door handles are the correct shape and in the right position for a VW38.

Sturdy metal hinges are featured on both doors.

All wheels feature rubber tires and correct smooth hubcaps.

The rear licence plate on the Robert Bosch car features the date 23.09.1941 which was the date of his 80th birthday. Note the correct style of engine lid handle.

The interior features beautiful tan fabric interior and a four spoke steering wheel that reminds that of the V303 cars.

Plenty of detail has gone into the mechanical side of things with well detailed engine, transmission and suspension parts. Note the stamped number “3” on the engine indicating this is car 3 of series of 5.

The front suspension is just as well detailed with working steering and even the correct style of trailing arms with a pinch bolt seen only on the earliest cars. Again note the unique shape of the front bumper.

This is a newspaper article on the Bosch car that includes a brief historical note on how the car had been given to a Bosch company worked by Robert Bosch himself. It looks like the Daily Mail or Mail on Sunday (UK) from the layout and typefaces used.

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[Blue Baron]

I could dust off a spot in the collection for one.
_________________
We are striving for perfection, to make our cars run forever, if possible.

Heinz Nordhoff

[obieoberstar]

What a great thread!!

I am surprised at the amount of detail given to that model and the fascinating backstory.

[allsidius]

[finster]

I was remembering the amazing models made by gerald wingrove, I think he used copper and brass. but it looks like cmc make 1/12 scale models using formed .6mm copper panels.

_________________
"we're here on Earth to fart around" kurt vonnegut

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

[Undis]

This model is currently exhibited at the Stiftung Auto Museum Volkswagen. The exhibition is The Volkswagen-Hobby - a worldwide phenomenon.
Special exhibition about the VW Beetle culture, open from 19 January to 31 August 2023. It appears to be the model that was presented to Ferdinand Porsche. It is very similar to the Robert Bosch one, with the main difference being the license plate which in this case reads KdF 1938. We have some photos of the same model earlier in this thread, but these new photos do it much more justice.
Photo credit: Christian Grundmann (via Facebook)

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Check out my Facebook page: Volkswagen Prototypes.

[Fishynos72]

The mechanical details are incredibly. Particularly the gearbox

Thank you and Christian for the photos
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Collector of all things Volkswagen, Hazet and Matra.

1972 1302
1973 type2a
1957 type11
2005 Caddy panel van
2006 Golf R32

[finster]

lovely patina, looks like the porsche kids have played with that one . and also maybe the handbrake is not very effective

_________________
"we're here on Earth to fart around" kurt vonnegut

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