1943 Volkswagen Kubelwagen Type 82 - ORIGINAL BODY
Full Importation Documents from 1972
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 1972
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 – Full Importation Documents – Rare WWII Survivor
This 1943 Volkswagen Kübelwagen Type 82 represents one of the most significant and recognizable vehicles of World War II. Designed by Ferdinand Porsche and produced by Volkswagen between 1940 and 1945, the Kübelwagen served as Germany's answer to the American Jeep—a lightweight, Beetle-based field vehicle used extensively by both the Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe across every theater of the war. With its simple engineering, torsion-bar suspension, and portal-style gear-reduction hubs, it proved exceptionally capable off-road and reliable under harsh conditions. Today, surviving examples retaining original wartime bodies are exceedingly rare.
Exterior
This particular Kübelwagen retains its original 1943 Type 82 body, stamped with body number 23939, confirming a production date of approximately August 1943. During a light refurbishment in Germany in the 1960s, the car's body was fitted to a replacement 1959 Volkswagen Type 1 chassis (no. 2270463) and refinished in a distinctive yellow, brown, and green camouflage scheme. The refurbishment also included installation of a later 1.2-liter 36-horsepower flat-four engine (no. 2341893) and four-speed manual gearbox equipped with a limited-slip differential and the correct rear gear-reduction hubs.
The Kübel retains many of its hallmark wartime details: an early cast-style Notek blackout taillight housing, front Wehrmacht-Luftwaffe plate, original Notek blackout lighting, fender-mounted headlamps, and a folding windshield with its correct mounting brackets. The canvas soft top remains intact and is believed to be of period style, possibly wartime issue. Its 16” yellow steel wheels wear 5.25” DEKA Gelände-Verstärkt tires, with a matching spare carried on the nose. The car's independent torsion-bar suspension and hydraulic drum brakes (converted for road use in California) contribute to its authentic yet drivable nature.
Interior
Inside, the Kübelwagen remains delightfully spartan, with drab-cloth seat cushions, a believed-original 1943 steering wheel, and simple dash panel typical of wartime Type 82s. The centrally mounted 100-km/h speedometer with suggested shift points sits within the correct dash layout, though the gauge cluster itself was later replaced with one from a Volkswagen bus. Storage compartments under the dash and behind the rear seat offer practical space for tools or spares, while dual independent wipers and original military-style fixtures preserve the vehicle's utilitarian feel.
Mechanical
Power is supplied by the air-cooled 1200cc 36hp flat-four, mated to a four-speed manual transaxle with a limited-slip differential driving the rear wheels through gear-reduction hubs. The vehicle remains street-legal, operating on a 6-volt system with an electric starter. A hydraulic brake conversion was performed in California for improved drivability, and the car remains in running and driving condition today.
Provenance & Documentation
The provenance of this Kübelwagen is exceptional. Its body number 23939 confirms an early-1943 build, while the 1959 chassis number 2270463 and engine number 2341893 correspond with the components installed during its refurbishment in Germany in the 1960s. The car was subsequently imported into California in 1972, and its original U.S. importation documents remain on file. It carries a California blue plate and a clean California title listing it as a 1943 Volkswagen, with the 1959 chassis number serving as the VIN.
Included with the sale is an extensive collection of German-language documentation, notably a 1946-dated release certificate that references engine number 2-023206, consistent with a 1943 construction date. These documents form an unbroken paper trail linking the car's wartime identity, post-war refurbishment, and U.S. importation—a rarity among surviving Kübelwagens.
Further research suggests the vehicle was imported by an aviation enthusiast and model designer for Revell, who likely used it as reference for the company's Type 82 scale model. It has also been photographed alongside Tom Cruise's P-51 Mustang “Kiss Me Kate,” the aircraft featured prominently in Top Gun: Maverick—a fitting Hollywood connection for such a historically rich vehicle. The authenticity of this Kübelwagen has been confirmed by Volkswagen military-vehicle specialist Dave Crompton of Michigan, adding authoritative validation to its provenance.
Summary
This 1943 Volkswagen Kübelwagen Type 82 is a remarkably preserved artifact of WWII history, blending originality, documentation, and usability. It retains its wartime body, authentic fittings, and rare period details while benefiting from a sympathetic mid-century refurbishment that allows for continued operation today. Offered with its 1972 importation paperwork, German documents, California blue plate, and clean title, this Kübelwagen stands as both a collectible military vehicle and a historically significant piece of automotive engineering.
Contact Us By Call or Text Anytime – Chicago Car Club: (312) 420-3696
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Contact Us By Call or Text Anytime!! Chicago Car Club – 312-420-3696
PLEASE BE SURE TO WATCH OUR DETAILED YOUTUBE VIDEO!