1938 Cabriolet

Development of the Beetle started in 1934, with Volkswagen being founded in 1937. Hitler named the new beetle the KDF car (Kraft-Durch-Freude or Strength Through Joy). The first true car was the 1938 model, production of which was due to started in September 1939 but as war broke out 'car' production was put on hold in favour of military vehicles. Prior to this date 54 cars were built but none made it to paying customers. They were destined for 'official' use and given to prominent members of the German Government of the time. As most of them preferred their Mercedes who knows what happened to these cars. Many of the Prototypes were driven by SS to see how the cars would stand up to the type of abuse military drivers give their vehicles.

To represent this I have taken the view that this car has gone to a member of the SS who is seen driving it back to his tank regiment.

The model is based on the Pink Kar cabriolet which has had a number of modifications to make it represent the 1938 model.

The main changes was to squared off the top of the windscreen. The original windscreen was retained after it had its curved top shaved off.

Externally mounted indicators, taken from a Tamiya kit have been fitted just in front of the top door hinges, with all the black it is difficult to see them.

The dashboard was recreated in plastic sheet.

All the pictures I have found of the pre-war cabriolets show the hood folded up rather than the characteristic whale tail shape. I cut the models in half, glued together and then filled the gap with milliput which was then shaped. The air intake grills on the engine cover below were also filled in with milliput..

The rear number plate and both numbers are also from Tamiya.

One tail pipe was removed and the remains painted to look like a rusty exhaust.