The Bucket-Seat Wagon of Dreams

Article Written By: JamesGilbertPynn

Top off your stein and pack away your lederhosen; its time for a bit of German car history. Though we have a wealth of fine German cars to choose from, like the beloved Beetle or the finely crafted Mercedes, todays lesson will focus on a particular model and make that rarely see the light of the road. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Volkswagen Kubelwagen! The what? you say. Translated, it means the bucket-seat car. Whats that, crickets chirping? Granted, its not an exciting name, so lets stick with Kubelwagen.

The non-starter of name aside, the Kubelwagen was one of the longest produced cars in German automotive history. Designed by Ferdinand Porsche himself andquot; at the request of the Nazi government andquot; the car was to become to the Germany army what the jeep was to the Allied forces. The Kubelwagen was the all-purpose, all-terrain vehicle, capable of transporting troops across extended distances. Mind you, it was all-terrain without having to stoop to the boorish 4X4 drive train the jeep was equipped with.

The prototypes and subsequent 1934 version of the Kubelwagen were based upon the Beetle body chassis. The 1939 refurbishments, however, dramatically changed the body style (to make it more angular) and increased its off-road capabilities (still without having to stoop to make them 4X4s). There is a running debate as to whether or not the Kubelwagen was superior to American jeep. Though some sources, including the U.S. War Department Handbook on German Military Forces, concluded, The Volkswagen [Kubelwagen]is inferior in every way except in the comfort of its seating accommodations, it has been argued that, in fact, the Kubelwagen was easier to maintain, more durable, and more maneuverable than the jeep.

From the ashes of war, the phoenix of the Kubelwagen would rise. Volkswagen released a modified version in 1969, known as the Kurierwagen. It was marketed as The Thing in the United States, the Trekker in the United Kingdom, and The Safari in Mexico. This Kubelwagen variant enjoyed a long run, helping resuscitate an ailing German automotive market. It was slowly phased out of the US market in 1975 as it began to fail to meet ever-stringent safety standards.

Nowadays Kubelwagens, and their civilian variants, demand handsome prices as far as used cars for sale are concerned. Prices can range anywhere from $3,000 for restorable units to $15,000 for cherry versions. According to the 2007 Barrett-Jackson Auction records, four Kurierwagens sold for over $20,000 each, with a 1973 model selling for $42,560! A lasting testament to the longevity of German engineering. So, there you have it andquot; a little ditty about the Kubelwagen, a little SUV doing the best it can.

About the Author

Should you make searching for classic used cars for sale, make sure to contact a retailer that can point you in the right direction. Finding the right used car for sale is the key to making the most of your hard-earned dollars.

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