Orignal Numbered Body RARE WWII Kubel

Vehicle Description

1943 Volkswagen Kubelwagen Type 82 - ORIGINAL BODY
California Blue Plate
Early “Cast” Style Notek Black-Out-Taillight
Original Wehrmacht-Luftwaffe Front Plate
LOTS OF ORIGINALITY
Original Notek Lights, Original Steering wheel
Street Legal with Hydraulic Brake Conversion
Brought Over From Germany in 1960’s
Gear Reductions
Engine Number- 2341893 - 36HP Engine - 1200cc Engine 1955-1965
Body Number: 23939 - Built Roughly August 1943
Chassis Number: 2270463 - 1959 VW Chassis (not original chassis tub)
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1943 Volkswagen Kübelwagen Type 82 – Original Body – Rare WWII Survivor
The Volkswagen Kübelwagen Type 82 is one of the most historically significant and instantly recognizable vehicles of the Second World War. Designed by Ferdinand Porsche and manufactured by Volkswagen from 1940 to 1945, the Kübelwagen served as the German counterpart to the American Jeep, providing the Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe with a light, reliable, and remarkably capable field utility vehicle. With its lightweight Beetle-based design, torsion bar suspension, and portal-style gear reductions, the Type 82 proved itself in every theater of war—from the deserts of North Africa to the frozen Russian front. Very few original examples remain today, especially those retaining their wartime bodies. This 1943 Type 82 is one such rare survivor, blending originality, period details, and a fascinating California ownership history dating back to the 1960s.
This particular Kübelwagen carries body number 23939, placing its production around August 1943. Its chassis number is 2270463, which indicates a 1959 Volkswagen chassis. At some point in Germany during the 1960s, the original tub was replaced with this later chassis, likely due to wartime damage or early corrosion. Despite this, the integrity of the original Type 82 body and its distinctive wartime features remain intact. Power comes from engine number 2341893, a 36 horsepower, 1200cc Volkswagen motor produced between 1955 and 1965. Importantly, we confirmed with renowned specialist Dave Crompton of Michigan that this is indeed an early 1943 Type 82, further validating the authenticity and historical significance of this vehicle.
Many rare and original details survive on this car. It retains its early “cast” style Notek blackout taillight housing, its front Wehrmacht-Luftwaffe plate, original Notek lighting, and even its believed-original 1943 steering wheel. The top frame is original, and the canvas may well be wartime as well. The dash panel itself is correct, though the gauge cluster was swapped with one from a Volkswagen bus. The body still shows its wartime mounting brackets and fixtures for tools, spares, and military equipment, including mounting points in the engine bay, engine lid, and front compartment. These details highlight the authenticity of this body as a true 1943 Type 82.
During its time in California, the vehicle was made roadworthy with a hydraulic brake conversion and a 6-volt electric starter. To comply with road safety, the rear Notek lamp was relocated to accommodate a brake light. The car runs, drives, and stops well, and remains street-usable today. The light restoration carried out in Germany during the 1960s has held up well, giving the car a preserved, authentic appearance that still carries a sense of originality and wartime character.
The provenance of this Kübelwagen is equally fascinating. It was imported into California in the 1960s by an aviation enthusiast and model designer for Revell. It is strongly believed that he used this very car as a reference when creating the scale model of the Type 82 that Revell went on to produce. Adding further historical intrigue, this very Kübelwagen has been photographed alongside Tom Cruise’s P-51 Mustang “Kiss Me Kate,” an aircraft prominently featured in the recent film Top Gun: Maverick.
The Kübelwagen’s place in history cannot be overstated. Unlike the Jeep’s 4x4 drivetrain, the German approach relied on lightness, independent suspension, and clever gear reduction hubs to deliver exceptional performance in challenging conditions. This made the Type 82 an invaluable tool of the German military. Today, original-body Kübelwagens are exceptionally difficult to find, particularly those from the earlier years of production.
This 1943 Volkswagen Kübelwagen Type 82 is a rare opportunity to acquire a genuine piece of World War II history. With its authentic body, original equipment, fascinating California history, specialist-confirmed provenance, and unique ties to both model-making and Hollywood, it is far more than a collector car—it is a preserved artifact. It runs and drives well, retains originality in the areas that matter most, and would serve as a centerpiece in any military vehicle collection, museum, or enthusiast’s stable.
Contact Us By Call or Text Anytime!! Chicago Car Club – 312-420-3696
PLEASE BE SURE TO WATCH OUR DETAILED YOUTUBE VIDEO!