There’s always something new to learn about in the world of vintage vehicles. A model you didn’t know exist, or an upgrade not previously thought to be possible in an older car or truck. In this instance, consider me shocked to learn it’s possible to own a replica Kubelwagen, which typically carries a high price tag when the genuine article shows up for sale. A quick bit of Googling reveals this is not some new phenomenon; there are a few different vendors that offer these conversions using VW running gear. This wartime replica is listed here on craigslist for $15,000.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Mitchell G. for flagging this find. The Kubelwagen doesn’t need much introduction, as it was VW’s Jeep at the time, and known for its ability to cross rivers and rocks with surprising ease. Of course, like most vehicles and equipment from the opposition, not much care or interest was shown to preserving them when the war ended, so it’s safe to assume any surviving examples in the way of Allied forces didn’t stand much of a chance of surviving. These days, the examples you do see pop up tend to be in private collections or museums, and see little in the way of regular use.
This is understandable considering the rarity and lack of good spare parts. Therefore, buying a replica makes good sense if you wish to own a clone of one of the rarest air-cooled products. There are a few different companies hawking kits for these unusual Kubelwagens, and one company called Kubelcraft offers models like this as well as other VW-based rigs from WWII. These include T-825 truck, which used a Beetle front end with a pickup-bed style rear end. Other listings indicate there are at least a few other builders of replicas, including a company from Brazil, which is known for numerous unusual VW products we didn’t get stateside.
This Kubelwagen is based on a VW Thing, and you can clearly see the family resemblance. The seller notes it has been upgraded with front disc brakes and electronic ignition, while utilizing a fully rebuilt stock 1600cc motor. It also sports wooden floorboards, and looks pretty killer with the hood-mounted spare tire and authentic Jerry cans. While this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, it’s an affordable way to plug a gap in an air-cooled collection while being able to sleep at night knowing it’s just a Thing underneath. Have you ever seen one of these Kubelwagen replicas in the flesh?
Considering who built the originals why would you want a copy of one? Owned a ’73 Thing and loved it knowing it didn’t help kill millions of people.
+ 100^^^
What a ridiculous thought and comment. Move on.
🤮🤣🤣🤣🤣 ^^^^
Does “Schwag” mean “mouth” in some obscure language? You’re obviously new here so we’ll excuse your poor manners.
If that were logical , then no one would own Mercedes or bmw.
‘Yeah, let’s just blame inanimate objects.’
The last time that I looked, a reproduction 1939 Mercedes-Benz 770K Grosser Offener Tourenwagen, which Hitler used an armored version of, wasn’t on the showroom floor at my local Mercedes Benz dealership.
There isn’t a ‘39 Chevy on the showroom floor of most dealerships either.
If ya don’t like it, move on.
Hey dad, come and see my new car, should bring back some memories,, :0,,you know, to hold any kind of grudge agin the Germans is pure foolishness. Like my daughter wisely said, “oh dad, that was 75 years ago”, and she’s right. Most, if not all the “baddies” are long gone, and Germans are wonderful people. Hard to imagine what life must have been like living in Germany then, clearly stuck between a rock and a hard spot. This is just my personal view, sorry dad, but I think the Germans had us, and it was our British brothers that pulled us through. I too was aghast when the Thing first appeared here in 1973. VW probably thought, oh those stoned hippies won’t make the connection, and with Bug sales slipping fast. But we DID care, and less than 28,000 were sold in the US, mostly in warmer climates. Dad wasn’t much of a history buff, I guess because he lived it, but for today, I think this is a real piece of history, and collectors of such should have no problem coughing up the $15gs.
And another thing, who did that song, “Wild Thing”? Yep, The Troggs, their #1 hit. My old man would turn the radio off if that song came on,,,stupid hippies, we’re listening to the ball game,,,
Ok, we seem to have hit a nerve here. As automotive enthusiasts/gearheads. We are supposed to offer our thoughts/feelings/experiences about the presented vehicles. Our world is a large and complicated place. But we as Barnfinders make it a much smaller place through our experiences and our love of wheeled transport. You may have emotions set off by a design or original usage. But our comments are supposed to be about the vehicle itself. Our country over the years has fought for our and other’s freedom. And for that we should be proud of or country and service personnel. (My uncle who is my personal hero. Was a medic at Nomandy, Battlefield of the Bulge and a Nazi war prisoner.) While in the prison camp and our Allied forces were getting closer. The German army bugged out in c9ncern for their own well being. That left the prisoners to find for themselves. HOWEVER, 6 Germans stayed behind to feed and care for the prisoners. That sir is humanity. There are many tragic stories about atrocities during war. But also, many stories about kindness and caring. Remember, the people we fight sometimes have no choice (drafted in many cases to do their countries evil/ corrupt deeds) and many would rather not be doing what they are doing. How many times on this forum have we heard about a vehicle hidden away to be saved from a war. Or people that planned vehicle production for after the war. OR a vehicle modified or used after the war for peacetime usage. That doesn’t sound to me like an evil person. It sounds very much like me and most of you. If we were to ignore or hold a grudge against everyone that has caused us some issue. We would miss wonderful vehicles like Datsun 240Zs, or Porsches, or Maseratis, Ferraris, VW Beetles, etc., etc. Sorry that this got so long. But we are here to celebrate vehicles and our wheeled passions. Sometimes the best ideas come from desperation.
Mitsubishi isn’t selling reproduction Zeroes, Porsche isn’t selling reproduction Tiger tanks, Toyota and Nissan aren’t selling reproduction WW II Japanese military vehicles, and on and on. This person is profiting off of an object that represents the death and suffering of millions. If a museum commissioned a copy to be built for a WW II exhibit, okay. Yes, we celebrate vehicles, but not all are worthy. Frankly, if I saw one of these parked on the street, it would be difficult to resist the urge to toss a burning object into the interior of it.
With all due respect, Howard A, while the Brits contributed a great deal to the war effort, it was the US that defeated the Axis powers. Had it not been for the US the war would have gone differently.
As far as the vehicle goes, get over it!
That inanimate object had/has nothing to with it. The Germans did and have contributed many goods things to the world, many of which I would challenge those you that “resent” that vehicle to stop using……jet engines…!!
Many of my family have sacrificed for the wars thru out history, including one who spent a year to a German POW camp, one who died in combat in Vietnam!
Nothing wrong with that car!
The people that start wars and the wars themselves are the problem!!
It actualy was the Russians who defeated the Nazis – just saying
Hi Gary, thanks, I know, but I always try to give the British a thumbs up, you have to admit they were an influential part of us winning. Had it not been for the Packard Merlin motor which gained our air superiority, things could have been very different.
I’m troubled that a post like this would generate such ill feelings, just shows the mere image of a vehicle like this really has a lot of visual/mental clout. I’m simply fascinated at what the world went through around this time, and I want to know more about it, including the vehicles that made it happen.
The German scientists and engineers that defected helped us immensely.
Wow, well, I can certainly feel your frustration, as this should be most offensive to me, but it’s not. Please remember, the site is merely the “piano player” with these items, and no way condones the Nazi regime whatsoever. As much as we’d like to erase certain things from our past, we can’t and I look at this as more of a learning thing. I’ve never been through a war, and I doubt many reading this have either, but it’s important to at least show these things from our past, and the comments that might not otherwise be heard. The “camp ovens” remark is particularly harsh, even I wouldn’t think of saying that. Remember, you have a personal connection to the war, I did too, but many, me included, simply can’t comprehend what that was like. Please, let’s not go overboard here, like Henry Fords anti-semitism,( that I never knew about) it has no place here.
I find this vehicle to be really cool, would find it a blast to drive around once in awhile, even if it was just to freak out some of the people in the comments above. I mean really, it is just a truck, doesn’t have swastikas painted it on it, and I also admire those airplane enthusiasts who restore the Bf109 and take them to airshows, fly around with the Spitfires. These are just machines, by the way.
The Volkswagen thing was a fun little rig for cruising the beach on a nice day this thing might be fun to go play off road on a old logging road or something but for that kind of money I will just buy a jeep.
It’s refreshing to see that there are still some civilized people commenting on this pile.
Better things in life than worrying about the past. Some people just can’t move on. Sad for them. They should concentrate on the present and future instead.
Have a happy day!
Will admit to a crass comment but after spending a few years in Europe on a NATO assignment and working with every nationality that had anything to do with that war, I came back with a picture that’s permanently embedded in my grey matter. Sharing an office with Dane, Canadian, and German officers and renting a house from one of the Resistance members gave me stories that would keep me going another life time. If it makes you feel any better I have owned over 30 German vehicles over the years.
Good for you. Great looking THING.
Wow! You certainly show a very wide swath of hatred. I suppose you hate those damn “Japs” too/
Please, no more comments from TDS victims. Sorry, not ok with lawlessness and criminals running wild. A country cannot survive without civil obedience.
Schwag; marijuana, typically of a low grade. “even potheads couldn’t smoke that schwag”.
Ironic.
I think this car is awesome.
@Euromoto- Translation of Schwag for you is- BITE ME. Get it now?
A common definition of schwag is low grade marijuana, as in, “even potheads wouldn’t smoke that schwag.” *
* according to the internet
Sure. Someone needs a life. Again, move on.
😉
No it wasn’t!
So the garage and the parts hung up to paint just happen to be exactly the same???? ARE YOU SAYING THE GUY IS A SCAMMER USING PICS FROM OTHER PROJECTS ON THE ROTISSERIE TO SELL THIS ONE?
I’m saying that the car was not a steal. With that being said , I’m not sure on what weird screaming tangent you’re going off on. But you might wanna cut down on the tamper tantrum, since you’re in a public place.
You will need to go back to your safe place. No intelligent person can argue with the facts I presented. When it was for sale here it was advertised for $15,000. The new owner is reselling for $31,995! A nice markup any day as I see it, but you are entitled to your opinion however nonsensical it may be.