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The world's oldest VW Beetle is rolling again - a masterpiece of restoration!
A collector is restoring the oldest VW Beetle, a W30 prototype from 1937, which now drives in Hessisch Oldendorf.
The world's oldest VW Beetle is rolling again - a masterpiece of restoration!
In the world of automobiles there are stories that fascinate and amaze at the same time. One such example is the world's oldest VW Beetle, which is currently rolling through Hessisch Oldendorf again. This historic car, a prototype of the W30 series, was built by NDR and other media in detail and bears witness to a remarkable automotive past.
The W30, whose chassis number is 26, was developed by Ferdinand Porsche in 1937 on behalf of the Nazi regime. This prototype was part of a series of tests in which only 30 examples were built. They served as test vehicles for a large-scale road test, which ultimately formed the basis for the later VW Beetle. Unfortunately, many of these vehicles did not survive the Second World War; most were scrapped. But the W30 was lucky and came to light again in the 1970s in Schwäbisch Gmünd with 56,000 kilometers covered, where it was discovered under a Kübelwagen.
Restoration and return
The current owner of the W30, Traugott Grundmann, created a dream for himself in 2003 with this chassis. After successfully restoring a VW Beetle from 1938, he dedicated himself to the ambitious W30 project. The restoration took almost eight years and required a lot of effort. Grundmann called in numerous helpers from family and friends as well as experts from all over Europe. Using drawings from Audi and VW chief designer Andreas Mindt, the body was completely rebuilt by a specialist company.
Parts were collected from around the world, even if many were not specifically made for this model. The W30 was eventually TÜV-approved, even though the roadworthiness regulations did not yet exist at the time. TÜV expert Thomas Rusch noted that this represented a real challenge, which caused further admiration.
A historical legacy
The oldest VW Beetle is not just an automobile example, but a piece of history. He is closely linked to the development of the VW Beetle, which was designed as a “car for the people”. The Beetle, sometimes known as the Beetle, was produced from 1938 to 2003 and spawned more than 21 million vehicles. This impressive figure made it the most produced automobile until 2002, when it was surpassed by the VW Golf. The beetle has established itself as an icon, thanks in no small part to its popularity in the United States and its appearance in Disney films.
The W30 itself is mainly kept in a garage in Hessisch Oldendorf and doesn't experience long drives or rainy weather every day. However, Grundmann takes part in various VW Beetle and classic car meetings and enjoys the enthusiasm that his automobile historical heirloom generates.
Interested visitors can currently visit a new permanent exhibition on the “Cap San Diego” in Hamburg, which, among other things, shows a vintage Beetle. An impressive exhibition recently took place in the city center, where 850 Beetles, Bullis and Kübelwagens from 21 countries were on display - a real festival for classic car lovers!
It's clear that the VW Beetle is much more than just a car. It stands for a history full of technical innovations and changes and is a symbol of automotive culture not only in Germany but worldwide.