An ID question for VW Beetle experts

[Otter74]

Can any VW experts here tell me what year car this is? I am not very good with these. To me it looks like either a pre-war car or a very early post-war car, but I have no idea which. The friend from whom I saw the photo is sort of a license-plate anorak and says the plates are 1947ish US Armed Forces in Germany plates, which dates the photo but not the car.

[billybek]

It is a pretty cool looking car....

Not an expert but it is interesting to see one piece windows in the doors (no vent window). That was a popular modification when I was driving VWs in the 70s and 80s.

The shape of the wheels and hubcaps look like an example of a car produced during the war years. Headlights look to be blacked out and the front bumper is tiny and bumper guards look unusual.

Might just be the angle, but the windshield looks to be smallish too.

[NY65912]

KDF Wagen

[id10t]

Originally Posted by billybek

It is a pretty cool looking car....

Not an expert but it is interesting to see one piece windows in the doors (no vent window). That was a popular modification when I was driving VWs in the 70s and 80s.

dont forget that early 356s didnt have vent windows either. IIRC they started in '60 with the T5 B cars

[wayne robson]

This is a rare 1946 model, note wheels,
tires,hubcaps,small bumper gaurds, horn,
antenna, front light fender shape,and non quarter windows.

[tdw28210]

Originally Posted by wayne robson

This is a rare 1946 model, note wheels,
tires,hubcaps,small bumper gaurds, horn,
antenna, front light fender shape,and non quarter windows.

with rare factory "heat booster" and matte black paint on half car.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

[targa911S]

that should buff out ok...(somebody had to say it)

[Otter74]

Thanks! I knew someone here would know.

Clearly this car was part of the reason why '46s became rare.

[ckissick]

Is that a WW2 pic? Is that guy in the background wearing a Nazi soldier helmet? If so, it has to be 1945 or earlier. They did make a few during the war.

[wdfifteen]

^^
I wondered that. There are a couple of people in the background wearing Darth Vader hats. Were they still in use after VE Day?

[Mark Henry]

Originally Posted by ckissick

Is that a WW2 pic? Is that guy in the background wearing a Nazi soldier helmet? If so, it has to be 1945 or earlier. They did make a few during the war.

German firefighter, they wore the same style helmet right up to the 90's.

[dafischer]

The helmets were used by the Fuerwehr, or fire fighters, from the 20's thru the early 40's. They were basically the same as the army helmets. Since this picture was most likely taken shortly post -war, they'd still be using the old helmets.

The VW probably started the fire, when someone sat in the back and shorted out the battery with the rear seat springs.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by Mark Henry

German firefighter, they wore the same style helmet right up to the 90's.

Darth Vader.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by dafischer

...when someone sat in the back and shorted out the battery with the rear seat springs. :d

btdtgtbsomatpi

[dafischer]

Been there done that got the burns on your ass to prove it?

[billybek]

My Thing started on fire when my friend kicked an aluminum tennis racket across the battery posts.

He couldn't figure out how to open the door when the car filled with smoke. Had to let him out pull out the seat bottom and stamp it out....

Man did it stink in there after!

[ckissick]

Originally Posted by dafischer

The VW probably started the fire, when someone sat in the back and shorted out the battery with the rear seat springs.

My '50 has an insulated battery cover. A much-needed improvement, apparently.

[Mark Henry]

Originally Posted by ckissick

My '50 has an insulated battery cover. A much-needed improvement, apparently.

But like thermostats, owners would toss it because they knew better than the engineers at VW.