1958 VW Coachbuilt For Sale
If you have been in the Vintage VW scene for any length of time, I am sure you have
heard tale of cars such as the Hebmuller, Rometsch or Dannenhauer.
These names as well as many others around the world have created special bodied cars for the elite
that were based on the Volkswagen chassis. When it comes to the hierarchy of the most valuable VWs in the world,
these are the ones that are the most difficult to find and the most highly prized by collectors.
In Europe, as well as around the world since the age of the automobile, these specialist firms
created cars by hand. Body panels shaped by hammer and English wheel, details crafted over countless hours
to create a true one off special for a discerning motorist. These craftsmen, the "coachbuilders" worked magic
in steel and aluminum in a trade that is nearly extinct today.
This one of a kind Porsche powered sports car is the result of a group of young craftsmen that
created it from concept to blueprint to running and driving automobile.
One of the most exciting parts about the car is that it is something that people have never seen before.
In the world of collector cars, especially when it comes to the aircooled German variety, this is not an easy thing to find.
The car has attended a few marque specific events in the Porsche scene as well as at VW shows and it has
been welcomed enthusiastically. The photo above is of the car at the famed Luftgekuhlt event in Los Angeles
where it was one of the most photographed cars of the show.
At the all Air Cooled Porsche event during the Toy and Lit weekend, the car had a constant flow of
onlookers that were amazed, amused and confused by it all day long.
The design of the car is pure 60's and falls right in line with many other specials and racing cars of the time.
The front of the car has a very strong resemblance to that of the Abarth Porsche.
The "notchback" roof line is also very similar to the special 356 model by Karmann.
The uniqueness of the design and the pleasing look of the overall creation
makes it one of those cars that can cross all borders. The Porsche people love it, the VW people love it
and even among the aristocracy of the concours crowd, this is a car that I am confident would be well received.
The history of a "special" is of the utmost importance when it comes to its value and desirability.
If the car were built in a home garage by a creative enthusiast, it would still be interesting,
but in the case of this vehicle...the walls in which it was crafted are ones of amazing history in the automotive world.
The Meisterschule Fur Handwerker in Kaiserslautern Germany is to the German car scene, what the Art Center
in Pasadena is in America today. This specialized trade school brought in the best of the young craftsmen
in Europe to hone their skills in automotive design and construction.
The school, still active and vibrant today dates back to as early as 1874 and their automotive bodywork and design
department has been around nearly as long as the automobile itself.
The alumni from the school has filled the studios and workshops of all the great manufacturers
as well as the supporting craftsmen of body repair and refinishing. Each year the graduating students
create as their "thesis" a vehicle that shows their talents. In current days the works are small
such as the go carts and scooters in the image above, but back in the heyday of automotive coachbuilding
they worked together on a much larger scale to create a complete automobile from concept to the road.
Each year the class would start with drawings, then move to blueprints and eventually to the workshop
to bring it all to life. All parts of the process from the sourcing of materials and parts to the business
side of things with accounting and "invoicing" of the car to an imagined customer were done.
Each car from year to year was an entirely unique creation.
The focus is on design and construction of the body and connected units
so the majority of the cars had mechanical bits from cars provided by manufacturers or donations to the school.
Mercedes, Opel, VW, Porsche, whatever the school had available to them would be the start
but the students had to take it the rest of the way and have a completely unique car in the end.
Bolt on parts such as lights, handles, glass and assorted trim were sourced from local manufacturers
such as Bosch, Hella, Sekurit, etc. With each car there are small parts that are identifiable such as the 50's Mercedes SL
headlights and bumper on the car above.
Many period photos exist of the creations and activity of the school, but very few of the actual cars that were built
survive today which is quite a shame. While some of the cars were a bit homely , others were beautiful
and all of them represent the early works of the designers and craftsmen that went on to illustrious careers
designing and building the cars we all love and chase today.
The creativity and energy of the young builders must have really been something to witness back in the day.
When the car was first discovered and the connection to the school was suspected
it came down to this young man to save the day. A current student at the school with a deep respect and interest
in the cars of the past was kind enough to approach the school and gain access to the archives to search for information.
He and a couple of willing fellow students spent countless hours looking through the piles of files.
The whole time it was not known if any information on this particular car still remained.
At some point in the school's history, a large flood damaged and destroyed countless records
but still it was worth a look to see if anything was saved.
While the more modern creations were well organized and easy to find, the older stuff was bound in twine
and tucked deep beneath the stacks.
Sadly the large scale blueprints of this particular car were not found
but each one of the era was carefully unfolded and inspected.
What was discovered however were these amazing photos of the car during its construction phase.
These hands-on images confirmed that the car came from the MHK workshops
all the effort to search was worth it!
What an amazing find indeed.
The part of the equation we are still searching for are the names and histories
of the students that did the work. Who knows where they went in their careers after graduation.
The mid spins at the thought of it!
Between the completion of the car at the school in 1960 to its next appearance on the radar at a VW swap meet
in the 1980's is a bit of a mystery. We have heard tale that after completion that the car went to an owner in Switzerland
but this has not been confirmed and how it made it across the world to America is even a bigger mystery.
At one point about 10-12 years ago it surfaced again in San Diego California
at a foreign car repair shop where a local VW enthusiast saw it and fell in love.
He applied a coat of primer to the car, installed a high performance engine and lowered the suspension
and for several years had one of the most insane "rat look" rides around.
I saw it at a couple of these shows and knew it was something special and always asked if it was for sale.
For the next decade it seems I would check in with the owner now and then and ask again.
Eventually we came to an agreement and it came to the Oldbug collection a couple years ago.
The layers of primer were stripped back to reveal what was the original paint color, a nice ivory
and the car was made operable again as it had sat without engine or transmission for quite a while.
The car has Porsche 356 wheels and brakes from a 356B model.
The front and rear glass is excellent and the sunroof mechanism is complete.
Door glass is broken on each side, but is flat glass and could easily be replaced.
Porsche 356 taillights and Hella "shine down" license plate light with third brakelight is fitted.
Porsche 356 engine grill has been fitted in the original engine lid that will need a new skin
fabricated as the aluminum has rotted away (but the steel framework is sound.
The body itself is all steel, except for the above mentioned engine lid and the front hood.
It remains impressively solid and sound and will be a very good basis to work with for restoration.
The suspension has been raised back up to a normal level.
The front end does have some dings and dents that will need to be smoothed out.
The original lead covering the body seams has been dredged out along this front corner
but on the rest of the body appears intact.
There is some body filler across the front nose but the damage was not severe or affecting the structure of the car.
The paint is failing obviously and really needs to be stripped down to bare metal and brought back
up to show standards. While a bit of hammer and dolly metal work will be required up front
the rest of the car appears very straight and sound.
Such a wonderfully mysterious little sports car.
I could easily see this done as a vintage racer, or as a restored road car...either way it will be a major eye catcher
no matter where it goes.
The interior remains all original and the materials will make superb patterns for re-upholstery.
Thick paint and finish on the car...blast this all down to the smooth steel and start over.
Tires are old and hard but hold air.
Wheels are genuine Porsche and are in nice shape.
Car seems good and solid in all the spots where you would imagine it would rust.
The floorpans are solid and sound and the jack points are firm
Some peeling undercoating below and a tiny bit of rust under the battery but easily patchable.
The Porsche 356 engine dates to 1958 and is running.
Engine number
Rear hood latch
Engine room panels are all present, a small section across the engine tin has been opened up a bit at one point for a different exhaust.
Header exhaust exits into a central megaphone...its loud!
The car has a clean California title and has Historic Vehicle plates, but at the most recent
show this Rhode Island plate with 356 designation was popped on for fun.
The car is titled to the chassis number as a 1958 VW as the number corresponds to a Karmann Ghia of 58 production
which must have been what the students started with when this was built in 1960.
Oval window Beetle dash grilles are fitted for cooling on the rear deck.
Porsche logo seat belts look to have been in the car forever.
The rocker panels overall seem quite solid with only one notable spot that will require welding.
Wheel arch on the drivers side front has separated and will need reworking.
Looking closely at the construction photos it appears that it was first built with bullet type signals
on the tip of the nose. The welded plug and metal work to fill these is visible if you look super close.
This is one of the key details that match the build photos to the car.
A well worn Porsche script is fitted to the nose.
In reality it is not Porsche or VW, but a creation of its own, however
it does seem that the Porsche and the VW crowd both welcome it to the events.
Hella headlight rings
Early 356 Porsche steering wheel
Hand built seats with asymmetric bottoms with a softer curve on the outside for easy entry.
Still original upholstery.
Doors, hinges, and all the body structure was built by hand, not adapted or modified from an existing vehicle.
Only bolt on parts such as these door strikers are familiar identifiable parts.
This area behind the back seat looks very solid and sound
Its fun to see the strengthening ribs in the flat steel all these well fitted panels in the areas that you dont see.
Everything was done to a true production level inside and out.
The only way to learn is to do it right.
Sunroof mechanism is Golde brand.
Rear view mirror and visors look like VW
VW speedometer is the only gauge in the dash.
Dash switches all look VW as well as the ignition key.
Metal trims along the defroster vents on the dash.
The details are impressive for a one off car.
Beetle horn grille in the center of the dash top
Cool ashtray unit has not been identified but is extremely close to
one that was fitted in a German Tempo Matador that we had here a while back.
Glove box door is missing and it looks like the dash originally had an oval Beetle sourced
central grille that has been welded closed.
Period Realistic radio in the dash.
Really nice and solid in the heater channels and door jams.
VW door handles but unknown large escutcheons
Very Porsche like design to the door panels with the long lower pocket.
Wood trim along the door top.
Sunroof appears complete, but will need new material of course.
All glass has German markings from suppliers such as Duro-glass
And Sigla
Drip rails are straight and solid, no signs of rust or anything in the window frames.
Ice pick door handles like early VW
This rust hole on the passenger side rocker panel is the biggest rust issue on the car...and its really a minimal
issue that will be simple to repair. The rest of it seems very solid and sound.
In closing this is a pretty amazing find.
A true one off with documented history from one of the most well respected and longest running
Coachbuilding schools in Germany. Beautiful blend of styles and parts with obvious connections
to Porsche and VWs of the era. This is a car that truly deserves a top level restoration and to
be shown on the concours lawn or Rennsport Reunion events along side the mega dollar machines.
The car has been featured as found in Classic Porsche magazine and on the website Petrolicious
It has also been featured in video by Hagerty's Barn Find Hunter and another at Carchaeology
SOLD!
For More Info...CALL
951 767 1600
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