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fossil Samba Member
Joined: November 22, 2011 Posts: 39 Location: Germany
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Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2024 1:25 am Post subject: Re: Hitlers Convertible |
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finster wrote: |
sleepywiesel wrote: |
I have been to the VW museum in Wolfsburg several times. But I haven't seen any relevant information about their history apart from the cars. No information about forced labor, no further information about the weapons they produced in the factory during the war. |
there is the place of remembrance...
https://www.volkswagen-group.com/en/place-of-remembrance-15867 |
And here you can download the publications about that themes. https://www.volkswagen-group.com/en/history-15914 _________________ Greetings from Germany
Thorsten |
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el_safari Samba Member

Joined: January 01, 2005 Posts: 389 Location: Nouvelle Aquitaine,France
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Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2024 1:39 pm Post subject: Re: Hitlers Convertible |
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Hi
In 2013 between Hessisch Oldendorf and European Bug In we spend some nice days in Wolfsburg.
In the castle of Wolfsburg there was an exhibition on the history of the VW factory and it was specified that during the war there were prisoners of several countries who worked in the factory which manufactured war material.
Phil _________________ La terre n'est qu'un seul pays |
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splitjunkie Samba Member

Joined: April 04, 2006 Posts: 4171
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Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2024 9:43 am Post subject: Re: Hitlers Convertible |
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finster wrote: |
sleepywiesel wrote: |
I have been to the VW museum in Wolfsburg several times. But I haven't seen any relevant information about their history apart from the cars. No information about forced labor, no further information about the weapons they produced in the factory during the war. |
there is the place of remembrance...
https://www.volkswagen-group.com/en/place-of-remembrance-15867 |
Looks like they have the original cornerstone on display.
What I find amazing is that the name hitler is nowhere to be found on that page and it states this about the beginning of the war - " Vehicle production is scheduled to start in autumn 1939. But with the outbreak of World War II on 1 September 1939, the then Volkswagenwerk GmbH becomes part of the German armaments industry, and series production of the civilian version remains a dream. Instead, workers, mainly foreign forced labourers, are tasked with producing military vehicles and other armaments."
Not even the slightest inference that hitler, and hence Germany started the war. Just "the outbreak of World War II". Talk about white washing history.
No wonder they won't display the vert. _________________ Chris
You know, a lot of these scratches will buff right out... Jerry Seinfeld |
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finster Samba Member

Joined: May 26, 2012 Posts: 9337 Location: not far from the madding crowd
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Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2024 6:44 am Post subject: Re: Hitlers Convertible |
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sleepywiesel wrote: |
I have been to the VW museum in Wolfsburg several times. But I haven't seen any relevant information about their history apart from the cars. No information about forced labor, no further information about the weapons they produced in the factory during the war. |
there is the place of remembrance...
https://www.volkswagen-group.com/en/place-of-remembrance-15867 _________________ "we're here on Earth to fart around" kurt vonnegut
nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect... |
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sleepywiesel Samba Member
Joined: June 22, 2010 Posts: 90
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Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2024 5:28 am Post subject: Re: Hitlers Convertible |
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I'm pretty sure that is has something to do with image.
VW doesn't want to show a car which represents a direct connection between the company and Hitler.
They did show the car in the past, but back then the vintage car scene was not that important for the company as it is today.
I have been to the VW museum in Wolfsburg several times. But I haven't seen any relevant information about their history apart from the cars. No information about forced labor, no further information about the weapons they produced in the factory during the war.
And this is a problem wich even new (car) museums in germany have. When I went to this prototype museum in hamburg I hat the impression that they are selling the late thirties and early fourties as a nice time. Old cars, some nice accessory and a lot of nice words about Ferdinand Porsche (He even designed hydro power plants, what a nice guy!). Not one word about the weapon systems he designed, no information about the people which built the Kubel and Schwimmwagen in their collection.
It's all about "Hey, just let's not talk about it. We don't want to give our visitors a bad feeling". Just like the germans did in the 50s and 60s.
The reasons may differ. Companies want to sell cars, some people want to live in ther idyllic car world. But in both cases there is a lack of responsibility.
I'm sorry that I cannot find better words for it. There are good examples around as well of course which are very aware of their own history and the history of their exhibitions.
And I really appreciate that you guys have a sophisticated view of the Hitler convertible. That is nice to know. _________________ ________________________
'59 beetle
'60 beetle |
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splitjunkie Samba Member

Joined: April 04, 2006 Posts: 4171
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Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2024 9:11 am Post subject: Re: Hitlers Convertible |
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Yeah, I don't get it. Hitler's hands are all over the existence of VW in the first place. Not to mention all of the concentration camp workers who built cars and whatever else they were forced to do for VW during the war and the brutal treatment of prisoner's children at Kinderheim, to name a few.
He didn't even drive, so at best he was a passenger in the car. There are several war time Klubels and Schwimmers at their museums, and I'm sure the people who used them were monsters too, so unless they had witnessed hilter worshipers doing inappropriate things around the car, I think it should be on display. It's a very significant car, no matter who owned it. _________________ Chris
You know, a lot of these scratches will buff right out... Jerry Seinfeld |
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sgmalt46 Samba Member

Joined: April 20, 2005 Posts: 1329 Location: south san francisco
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Posted: Fri Oct 04, 2024 11:18 am Post subject: Re: Hitlers Convertible |
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keeping it from public view is ridiculous. not like a bunch of hamas
nazi's are going to celebrate an old Volkswagen .that just is silly. (being nice)
not just that if you ignore the past it is bound to repeat itself.
better off learning about history not shoving it in in a closet.
sad to see it hidden from view . glad I seen it back in the 90's _________________ 55 deluxe 23 window bus
64 crew cab
55 rag top beetle
66 beetle
71 square back (sold) ! good luck with it Henry!
46 beetle 552nd royal army service corps CCG |
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Stetoppingphoto Samba Member

Joined: February 15, 2012 Posts: 498 Location: Darwen
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Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2024 4:05 am Post subject: Re: Hitlers Convertible |
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cory464 wrote: |
finster wrote: |
perhaps we could petition vw to put it on show? |
Unfortunately, those of us who would enjoy it for the correct reasons are in the minority. People who would celebrate the car for the wrong reasons are far more common and VW cannot risk being associated with that crowd. |
Maybe Volkswagen can roll it out for us vintage nerds on the HO weekend in 2026. _________________ Fender Bug |
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splitjunkie Samba Member

Joined: April 04, 2006 Posts: 4171
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Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2024 8:59 am Post subject: Re: Hitlers Convertible |
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Great post Undis, as usual.
Sounds a little like hitler's cloak that ended up in the US and the owner didn't realize the original owner.
Link
_________________ Chris
You know, a lot of these scratches will buff right out... Jerry Seinfeld |
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cory464 Samba Member
Joined: November 25, 2010 Posts: 671 Location: kokomo in
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Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2024 6:14 am Post subject: Re: Hitlers Convertible |
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finster wrote: |
perhaps we could petition vw to put it on show? |
Unfortunately, those of us who would enjoy it for the correct reasons are in the minority. People who would celebrate the car for the wrong reasons are far more common and VW cannot risk being associated with that crowd. |
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finster Samba Member

Joined: May 26, 2012 Posts: 9337 Location: not far from the madding crowd
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Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2024 3:44 am Post subject: Re: Hitlers Convertible |
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perhaps we could petition vw to put it on show? _________________ "we're here on Earth to fart around" kurt vonnegut
nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect... |
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Stetoppingphoto Samba Member

Joined: February 15, 2012 Posts: 498 Location: Darwen
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Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2024 2:24 am Post subject: Re: Hitlers Convertible |
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Undis wrote: |
Car 31 was used around Hitler’s Obersaltzberg residence, often by his partner Eva Braun. It likely led a different life compared to other VW38 cars and somehow survived the war and the early post-war years.
The car was purchased as a low mileage car by its second owner an engineer from Heppenheim in June 1945 after the US forces had requisitioned it at Obersaltzberg. He drove it for about 250,000 Km.
The car was sold on to its third owner and driven another 180,000 Km between 1951 and 1954.
A car dealer then purchased and restored it before selling it to the fifth owner who travelled Italy and Austria with it.
A sixth owner drove it another 80,000 Km before trading it in at a VW dealer in Munich in April 1956. After that car 31 went to the Volkswagen museum where it has remained since. |
Love how much information you have on the very interesting VW38 cars Undis. I've been to Wolfsburg twice now but unfortunately never been able to see the cab. I know it used to be on display at one point. _________________ Fender Bug |
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Who.Me? Samba Member

Joined: July 14, 2014 Posts: 2415 Location: UK (South)
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Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2024 12:38 am Post subject: Re: Hitlers Convertible |
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Thanks for the history info.  _________________ 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 |
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EverettB  Administrator

Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 70909 Location: Phoenix 602
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Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2024 12:09 pm Post subject: Re: Hitlers Convertible |
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piet&som wrote: |
... he reached for his wallet and took out a picture of H.'s convertible, black and white offcourse. In blue ink written at the back of the photo it said: "Mein persönliche cabrio A.H".
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WOW. I hope he kept it in some sort of plastic protective sleeve or something safe from weather _________________ How to Post Photos
Everett Barnes - [email protected] | My wanted ads
"Water is the only drink for a wise man" | "Communication prevents complaints"
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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piet&som Samba Member

Joined: February 18, 2009 Posts: 258 Location: Toxandria
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Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2024 9:36 am Post subject: Re: Hitlers Convertible |
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Once in Bad Camberg 6-24-1995, Herbert Kaes was invited at the stage for an interview. Afterwards, when he walked into the crowd I asked him for a signature. Very kindly he signed a small companycard of mine. But after that we started to have a little conversation. All of a sudden he reached for his wallet and took out a picture of H.'s convertible, black and white offcourse. In blue ink written at the back of the photo it said: "Mein persönliche cabrio A.H".
I'll never forget that moment... _________________ Oval 54 Light Beige, Oval 53 Metalblue. |
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banana split Samba Member

Joined: January 22, 2002 Posts: 1111 Location: Beautiful British Columbia Canada
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Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2024 9:17 am Post subject: Re: Hitlers Convertible |
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Wow! I'm surprised at how many miles (kilometres) were put on this Beetle in it's lifetime. _________________ My Beetles :
1951 Crotch Cooler 11G Split Ragtop
1953 Zwitter
1964 Chop Top |
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finster Samba Member

Joined: May 26, 2012 Posts: 9337 Location: not far from the madding crowd
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Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2024 5:40 am Post subject: Re: Hitlers Convertible |
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here's the article about it
finster wrote: |
article in stern magazine '72 - previous owners of vw 38/31. the first picture is incorrect as it shows the foundation ceremony car
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_________________ "we're here on Earth to fart around" kurt vonnegut
nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect... |
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Undis Samba Member

Joined: October 24, 2006 Posts: 1434 Location: Riga, Latvia & Sydney, Australia
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Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2024 2:02 am Post subject: Re: Hitlers Convertible |
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Car 31 was used around Hitler’s Obersaltzberg residence, often by his partner Eva Braun. It likely led a different life compared to other VW38 cars and somehow survived the war and the early post-war years.
The car was purchased as a low mileage car by its second owner an engineer from Heppenheim in June 1945 after the US forces had requisitioned it at Obersaltzberg. He drove it for about 250,000 Km.
The car was sold on to its third owner and driven another 180,000 Km between 1951 and 1954.
A car dealer then purchased and restored it before selling it to the fifth owner who travelled Italy and Austria with it.
A sixth owner drove it another 80,000 Km before trading it in at a VW dealer in Munich in April 1956. After that car 31 went to the Volkswagen museum where it has remained since. _________________ Check out my Facebook page: Volkswagen Prototypes. |
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Who.Me? Samba Member

Joined: July 14, 2014 Posts: 2415 Location: UK (South)
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Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2024 12:10 am Post subject: Re: Hitlers Convertible |
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I searched and found another thread on here that mentions the car turned up in a dealer lot in the 1950s, but I couldn't find anything about where it was prior to that.
Is anything known about its post-war ownership and use before its (re)discovery? _________________ 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 |
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Undis Samba Member

Joined: October 24, 2006 Posts: 1434 Location: Riga, Latvia & Sydney, Australia
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Posted: Wed Sep 18, 2024 12:57 am Post subject: Re: Hitlers Convertible |
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The early restorations done by VW left a lot to be desired when it comes to correctness and authenticity. Often, they used new parts from the parts bin of the day. We still see the effects of this today.
Despite undergoing a “restoration” in 1954 where some of the original details were lost, the body is still in very good shape and provided invaluable reference at time when VW38/06 was being restored. _________________ Check out my Facebook page: Volkswagen Prototypes. |
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