1943 Volkswagen Kubelwagen Type 82

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

The 1943 Volkswagen Kübelwagen Type 82 served as the primary light transport vehicle of the German Wehrmacht during World War II. Its name derived from Kübelsitzwagen—“bucket seat car”—reflecting its simple, functional seating design. Built on a strengthened version of the KdF Type 1 backbone chassis, the precursor to the Volkswagen Beetle, the Kübelwagen blended durability and mechanical simplicity with impressive off‑road capability despite its rear‑wheel‑drive layout. Power came from an air‑cooled 1.1‑liter flat‑four engine renowned for reliability in both desert heat and severe winter conditions. Combined with gear‑reduction portal hubs, a ZF locking differential, and extremely low overall weight, the Type 82 performed surprisingly well in rough terrain, often compared favorably to the American Jeep. In total, more than 50,000 were produced.

By 1943, the Kübelwagen had reached its most refined wartime form. Standardized fittings, improved weather gear, and incremental mechanical updates increased durability as production intensified. Bodies supplied by Ambi‑Budd featured flat panels that simplified field repairs and large‑scale manufacturing. Deployed on every major front, the Type 82 became especially linked with the Afrika Korps, frequently identified by the palm‑tree insignia associated with Field Marshal Erwin Rommel’s forces, as seen on this example.

This 1943 Volkswagen Kübelwagen Type 82 is now represented at no reserve by a Broad Arrow Specialist with a clean Florida title in the current owner's name.

Highlights

• Offered from the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum

• Historic Kübelwagen restored to Afrika Korps livery

• “Afrika Tan” Afrika Korps-style flat camouflage

Factory Equipment

• 1.1‑liter air-cooled flat‑four engine

• Four-speed manual transaxle

• Gear‑reduction rear portal hubs

• ZF locking differential

• 6:00 x 16 tires

• Canvas upholstery

• Swing axle rear suspension

• Front & rear anti-aircraft blackout lights

• Bosch headlights

• Electric windshield wipers

• Folding windshield

• Wood slatted floor mat

• Body marker lights

• Side-mounted shovel

• Grease gun, jack, hand-crank tire pump, jerry can

Servicing & Documentation

• This 1943 Volkswagen Kübelwagen Type 82 has been maintained by the museum’s dedicated restoration team to ensure it remains clean and, reportedly, “road ready.”

• New fuel tank

• Engine reportedly rebuilt in Germany prior to the museum's acquisition

Known Imperfections

• Odometer is missing

• Wear on various interior surfaces

• Damaged instrumentation

Ownership History

This 1943 Volkswagen Kübelwagen Type 82 is offered from the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum

Additional Information

Please note this vehicle is titled as a 1942.

A Broad Arrow Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the seller of this listing. As such, the purchase transaction will be facilitated by Broad Arrow, including vehicle payment, applicable taxes required to be collected by the seller or Broad Arrow, and title/ownership reassignment. Broad Arrow is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hagerty.

Contact: Donnie Gould Phone: 954.647.0779 Email: dgould@hagerty.com