Miguel Sánchez
PHOTOS KdF VW39: PORSCHE MEDIA / PROTOS MUSEUM OF HAMBURG
A few days ago we published the history of the Type64. Known as VW Aerocoupé or Porsche Type64, this sports car designed for the Berlin-Rome of 1939 is considered the first Porsche. Obviously the adjective does not stop generating certain debates. And although the company was founded in 1948 with the serial production of the 356 ... The truth is that the sports key modifications of the KdF Wagen made by Ferdinand Porsche were the prologue to the brand.
In fact, the 356 itself is an evolution of the Beetle taking almost all the basic elements from the popular utility. In sum, For a few years the history of Porsche was so closely linked to that of Volkswagen that one does not know where one ends and the other begins.. And be careful, because the same thing that happens with the Type64 happens with the VW39 from 1939.
This pre-production model it was devised just the same year as the Type64, responding to the same sporting whims. And it is that Ferdinand did not know how to manage to convince the members of the Nazi party about the need to do a sports variant of the KDF Wagen. In an environment where the beginning of the War was already being chewed ... They only had ears for projects with military purposes.
For example, Berlin-Rome itself was never held. As well as the three planned units of the Type64 were not manufactured either. But just two chassis and three engines that never coexisted at the same time. Something similar happened with the VW39, when it looked like project truncated by the start of the contest. In fact we only have one unit left today. Of course, its recent restoration by the Hamburg Prototype Museum He has made it shine in all its splendor.
RETURNS WITH THE ENGINE. WHAT MODIFICATIONS DOES THE VW39 HAVE?
The first series of the KdF Wagen are quite a puzzle. In total, some 38 different prototypes were developed. These were followed by the pre-series VW38 of 1938, after which a first series was made with some 52.000 units. Practically all of them had the same chassis as the Kübelwagen Type 82, a popular military derivation of the utilitarian. Furthermore -and adding a little more confusion to the genealogy- Modified series were manufactured for both civilian and military use during World War II.
Beyond all this scrum, the truth is that the first series engine of the KdF Wagen was a 985cc boxer four-cylinder capable of delivering 25CV. And there is the main modification of the VW39 with respect to the model from which it starts. With the idea of making a sports version of the Ferdinand Porsche Beetle -and his son Ferry- increased power to 32CV.
The modification of the engine gave rise to a new model that, responding to a personal idea of the Porsche family, caused many to consider this VW39 as one of the first Porsche in history. Anyway, we will leave it in a shared merit between VW and Porsche. Of course, what is false is that the VW39 mounted the same engine as the Type64. The latter reached up to 50CV thanks to the double carburetion, larger valves and a higher compression ratio.
THE ONLY SURVIVOR HAS AT LAST BEEN RESTORED
The plan that Ferdinand Porsche proposed to the KdF called for the manufacture of 50 test units. Due to the start of the war, only 14 could be carried out, of which 13 were lost during the war. A disaster of which only chassis number 1-00003 survived. In an extremely deteriorated state after having served the DAF German Labor Front.
In 1948 it was acquired by a collector who painted it gray - originally they were all painted gloss black. The latter later sold it, beginning a moving history of buying and selling. Fortunately the only survivor of the VW-Porsche 39 was rescued 5 years ago by the Museum of Prototypes in Hamburg. A magnificent place where you can see some of the most exciting cars of all time.
Tras three years of restoration at last the result has been presented. It is impressive to see this unique VW39. Or should we say Porsche 39?
