Kubelwagen Type 82 sPzAbt.501, Maintenance Unit, HQ Company, Tunisia, 1943 (1:48)

In November 1938 Porsche completed a prototype vehicle based on the Volkswagen designated the Kubelwagen Type 62. Kubelwagen is short for K'belsitzwagen, (bucket seat car). The Type 62 lacked good cross-country performance so ground clearance was increased and a modified gear ratio. This gave birth to the Type 82 and in 1940 mass production began at the Volkswagen factory. By early 1943 20,000 vehicles were produced with the total reaching 50,435 by the end of WWII. The Kubelwagen was to Germany what the jeep was to the Allies.

A special vehicle was required to withstand the harsh desert environment. The Kubelwagen was chosen because the engine was air cooled, light weight, good ground clearance and easy to maintain. In addition the desert Kubelwagens were equipped with large balloon-like tires that made it easy to operate in sand. The job of the sPzAbt 501 HQ Company Maintenance Service Unit was to keep Rommel's Tigers operating during the last battles in Tunisia. The 'J' on the doors signified the vehicle belonged to the Werkstatt (Maintenance Company).

Specification Kubelwagen Type 82

Produced by ' Volkswagen

Years of production ' 1940 ' 1945

Number produced ' 50,435

Accommodation ' 1 x Driver, up to 3 x passengers

Engine ' 1 x Volkswagen Type 1, 4-cylinder 985cc air-cooled generating 24 hp up until 1943. After 1943 1 x Volkswagen 4-cylinder 1131cc gasoline engine generating 25 hp

Performance
Speed ' 80.4 km/h (50 mph)
Range ' 434 km (270 miles)

Dimensions
Length ' 3.77 m (12.3 ft)
Width ' 1.6 m (5.25 ft)
Height ' 1.65 m (5.41 ft)
Weight ' 750 kg (1,653 lb)