Kubel sighting in Seattle

Post by **Marc** » Wed Oct 09, 2002 5:59 pm

On the way home from work I saw a grey Kubel with New Mexico plates. It had "Stay Back 100M" stencilled on the back in English, a gas can lashed to the RF fender (maybe the LF too, I couldn't see), and "1.4 atü" on each fender (kinda looked hand-painted). Anyone have a clue where such a vehicle originated?

danfromsyr · Post by **danfromsyr** » Thu Oct 10, 2002 5:15 am

Ummm.. In germany ... thats where theya re all from right.. *snickers..

nope I haven't a clue... with the Kubel either..

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Thu Oct 10, 2002 5:58 am

Dan, 181 es hencho en Mexico.
Marc I`ll check w/topica to see who that was. Probably on that list. Good luck. Bob Ingman

Post by **Marc** » Thu Oct 10, 2002 7:14 am

This sucker looked like a genuine Kubel to me (sloped nose, reduction-gear trans). I didn't get a very good look `cause of traffic but the headlights looked slightly dim like 6-volt. It was the combination of English and German markings that threw me - maybe a flightline vehicle from a NATO airport or something?
High up on the LR it had a small amber light in addition to small red taillights.

danfromsyr · Post by **danfromsyr** » Thu Oct 10, 2002 10:15 am

I know 181's came from mexico, original post said Kubel but there is a company in W canada making pretty dang close kubel reproductions might be one of theirs..

Bruce2 · Post by **Bruce2** » Sat Dec 14, 2002 9:02 pm

Intermeccanica makes the Kubel replicas at the same factory where they make 356 speedster replicas here in Vancouver. The dead give-a-way for the Kubels are the 4 bolt wheels.

justcallmebob · Post by **justcallmebob** » Sat Dec 14, 2002 11:27 pm

There is also the Kubel Kar from New Mexico, a metal and/or fiberglas Kubel look alike on a Beetle pan. To be honest, I doubt if it was an original Type 82 you saw, they had 28 hp and were only designed for a very short life and are very rare. Driving one on the hiway would not only invide breakdown, but with the mechanical brakes, could be downright dangerous.

The intermeccanica (sp?)car from Vancouver is a good possibility.

[This message has been edited by justcallmebob (edited 12-15-2002).]

lastsafari · Post by **lastsafari** » Sat Jan 11, 2003 11:41 pm

The Kubel cars from New Mexico have hollow bottons at the front (under the spare tire) and their windshield frames have completely square corners on the glass area where the originals from the 40's are rounded. If you are able to check then you'l know.

justcallmebob · Post by **justcallmebob** » Sat Jan 11, 2003 11:51 pm

Pedro

Good point about identification of Type-82's. Didn't they also have a 2 piece winshield whereas the replicars all seem to have one piece glass.

lastsafari · Post by **lastsafari** » Sun Jan 12, 2003 7:38 pm

Bob
You'r right.