Bishop, Chris (2002). The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II. Sterling Publishing. pp.102–103. ISBN 9781586637620 . Retrieved 5 August 2021.

Top speed was about 80 kph on flat, 20-30 kph on average on rough terrain. The wheelbase was only 2.40 m and weight 715 kg (1,576 lb) (GVW 1,160 kg fully loaded) but it had almost a 30 cm ground clearance thanks to the adoption of a portal gear hub reduction, which provided more torque at the same time. It had a basic 4-door utility roadster body layout. Since the body was not a load-bearing part of the structure, the chassis could receive a great deal of configurations and modifications for all purposes. All wheels had independent suspensions. Our Models". Intermeccanica. Archived from the original on 25 December 2019 . Retrieved 25 December 2019. After the war it was left there and the car does have some historical papers showing it was registered in These cars lead extremely hard lives and many of the examples you see today have been built with many This article possibly contains original research. Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations. Statements consisting only of original research should be removed. ( April 2017) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)

The "Bucket Car"

Souvenirs of the vehicle were such that VW even resurrected the basic Kübelwagen in 1969 as the Type 181. The Weird and Wonderful pt4 Military VWs", Wheelspin, UK: LTV VWC, July 2000, archived from the original on 9 December 2014 , retrieved 16 April 2012 . The more complicated Type 62 Prototypes had four-wheel-drive and different engines, but since performances or capability does not proved better than the Type 82 they never left the prospects stage. In March 1943 however, a bigger 1,131 cc engine was adopted, which was initially developed for the Schwimmwagen (the amphibious equivalent of the Kübelwagen), which produced more torque and power. After VW closed its doors for years following the defeat of the IIIrd Reich, it had delivered 50,435 Kübelwagen vehicles, which proven itself useful, reliable, and durable and were also recycled for some in the world-beating Beetle in postwar years. The challenge with the Kubel at the time was that, unlike the 356s, there was no restoration supply industry to turn to, for purchasing components. Each trim part had to be found from sources or made from scratch. The development process took over a year, one of the best years ever working with my father!

He wrote: ‘Shortly after capturing the VW, I made a trip down to Syracuse in Sicily. The only disturbing thing about the car was the speedometer, which, of course, read in kilometres. It was amusing to see my batman’s face when, on a good straight stretch, I pointed to the speedometer, which was indicating a shade over 100. The Schwimmwagen’s story starts at the same place as the Kubelwagen. The name translates to “Swimming Car” which perfectly encapsulates the intent of the Type 166. The Wehrmacht needed a vehicle that could serve as a go-anywhere reconnaissance car and designer Erwin Komenda took that mission to heart. Type 331: Prototype fitted for power by a "native fuel system" (acetylene gas) engine (also listed as Type 231) During the 1960s, several European governments began cooperating on development of a vehicle known as the Europa Jeep, a lightweight, amphibious four-wheel drive vehicle that could be mass-produced for use by various national military and government groups.One of the Kübelwagen’s most remarkable features was its use of a limited slip differential, the first application ever outside of the legendary thirties Audi GP cars, for which purpose it was first invented. It was the key ingredient (along with the rear engine and light weight) that allowed the VW to be effective off-road without having four wheel drive. In fact, under certain situations, like crossing a trench on the diagonal, a four wheel drive vehicle like the Jeep could potentially get hung up if one wheel on each axle was briefly suspended in the air. Type 198: Fitted with a PTO and auxiliary gearbox for starting the engines of armoured fighting vehicles [18] Type 62: Prototype Kübelwagen, constructed from 15 May 1938; pre-production models (1939) field tested in the invasion of Poland The VW can take corners a great deal faster than most staff cars, without the swinging tendency of the Jeep.’

Taylor, Blaine (2004). Volkswagen Military Vehicles of the Third Reich. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Da Capo Press. ISBN 0-306-81313-0. OCLC 55534990. U.S. War Department, 15 March 1945. Handbook on German Military Forces, TM-E 30-451, Chapter VIII, Section II: Automotive Equipment VW Kommandeurwagen Type 87". Archived from the original on 2 February 2015 . Retrieved 2 February 2015. Development of the vehicle proved time-consuming, however, and the West German government was in need of a limited number of light, inexpensive, durable transport vehicles that could fulfill their basic needs while the Europa Jeep was being developed and put into production. Type 276: "Schlepperfahrzeug": Type 82 fitted with a towing hook to pull a 3.7 cm 'PaK 36' gun [19]types of military ground vehicles designed for specific uses in various arenas of conflict, such as tanks Intermeccanica of Canada has been producing a Kubelwagen replica since 1995. [9] [10] Technology and performance [ edit ] A Kübel seized by American paratroopers in Carentan during the Battle of Normandy, 1944 As an interesting aside, captured Kübelwagen gladly were put to use by the Americans, and resulted in the first comprehensive English-language Technical Manual for the operation and service of the Volkswagen in 1944. Regardless of what the US high command thought of the VW, plenty of GIs came home with positive memories or at least grudging respect, helping the Volkswagen became a popular import in the early fifties based on its rep for toughness.