1941 Type 877 extremely rare 4wd Beetle off-road Sedan Kommandeurwagen Model: Type 87 (92SS) 4wd Beetle off-road Sedan ( Porsche Type 877/287 ) Commander car Body Style: KdF 60 steel enclosed body with folding top plus an 82 chassis and 4wd. system. Only 564 copies were build between 1942 to1944 by Volkswagenwerk,Wolfsburg. Few steel enclosed prototype Made by Porsche KG,Zuffenhausen Stuttgart between 1940-1941 (early model with Kubelwagen Type 62 and 82 body) only a few unit off-highway widened fenders 4wd beetle type 87 have survived.Today it is extremely rare at this world. Construction: Type 82 Kubelwagen Steel central tubular frame with steel body (Ferdinand Porsche took this from Hans Ledwinka's Tatra Vehicle). Rear mount flat 4 air cool engine with 4 speed gear box, with an additional off-road low gear, like the type128 Schwimmwagen or VW166 propeller shaft is mounted inside the tubular frame, which could be engaged to drive the front differential at any road gear. Engine: Horizontally opposed HO-4 cylinder air cooled 1131cc., 25hp. Rear mounted Transmission: 4 Speed manual plus special off road gear ratios. Part time four wheel drive with two ZF self locking differentials (like todays performance LSD) plus rear hub reduction for increased ground clearance. Suspension: 4 wheel independent suspension. Front two transverse swing arms and single shock absorbers. Rear trailing arm, single cam type hydraulic damper and torsion bar (all around). Tire: 200-16 mud tire, 200-12 mud tire off road wide tire or 200R12 sand tire use by Afrika-Korps.( few prototype use 5.25R16 off road tire.) Fuel Tank: 40L Max speed: 80 km/h. Weight: 830 kg (80 kg more than Type 60 because of rear hub reduction gear, front axle, propeller shaft and over size 16 inch off road wide tire and 40L fuel tank. Brake system: 4 wheel Drum brake; mechanical cable control type.Professor Ferdinand Porsche wanted to learn from Ford to build a low cost but reliable car for every family in Germany in 1922. However no one showed the least bit of interest, not even his boss at the time (Austro-Daimler,Auto-Union). When Mercedes started discussing Ferdinand Porsche's dream car their cooperation was near the end (the Mercedes S130 was Mercedes People's car). Porsche started his own company. In 1931, Porsche had already made the drawings for a low cost people's car. Zundapp had even built three prototypes. NSU was also interested in the design, at the same time NSU was taken over by Fiat. Fiat had no interest in this design. Adolf Hitler came right on time. In 1934 they agreed the people's car fuel consumption had to be lower than 6-7 litres per 100km. Speed no less than 100km/h, this car was a full size family car, easy to maintain, strong enough to withstand travelling through countryside, reliable, affordable and yet costing no more than RM1000. A saving scheme was developed whereby each German family saved at least RM 5 per week for the new people's car. However, this was not a payment plan but a layaway plan. Stamps were purchased and when a stamp book was full, a new car could be bought with it. 3 prototypes tested at the end of 1936. Drove 50000 km in seventy days. Only two big car factories in Germany during this time; one owned by Ford and one owned by Opel. Hitler ordered his Arbeits front to construct a new, modern and huge factory in Wolfsburg (north Germany) in 1938. In 1940, the first people's car rolled off the assembly line. "You must save five Reichmarks a week if you want to own this car!" "Kraft durch Freude" = "strength through joy car" That's how the poster read advertising the German People's Car at the end of the 1930's. This program never materialized as all the prototype civilian Beetles (Type 60) after the 1939 Berlin Motor show actually went to Nazi party members, state officials, Ferdinand Porsche's staff and Volkswagen staff. In any case, the German's had lost their savings. All the people's car chassis were redesigned for the Army. Under Hitler's dictatorship, Germany was rearming rapidly in preparation for war. After the first world war the German Reichswehr, successor of the Imperial Army, began to purchase civilian cars for use in the Army. They fitted them with oversized off road tires, soft tops and a steel half door was developed to transform the civilian car into a military vehicle for off road use. But the standard front mounted engine with rear wheel drive never gave 4x2 cars a good performance in the wild. Due to more weight in the front dead axle. An all new civilian car with rear air cooled flat engine rear wheel drive with a tubular backbone chassis, like the Tatra wagen designed by Hans Ledwinka designed by Porsche work shop, was the perfect solution to off road travel. The body is all new steel made and is a simple bolted on type so easily transferred to the VW frame. Rear mounted engine, rear gear box and rear wheel drive increased the traction on the rear drive wheels. This also saved space, saved steel and removed the need for a long drive shaft. The air cooled engine allowed the car to be used in extreme environmental conditions, as no coolant could freeze and destroy the cooling system. Also easy to repair, without water cooled system, no radiator, water pump, engine coolant or water pipes needed which in turn, saved weight and saved metal. Just remove a few bolts and the engine can be taken off for repair. To build a le.gl Einheits-PKW 4x4 costs nearly 3 times the value of this new VW off road Kubelwagen. The Germany Army document show to build a Kubelwagen cost 2950 Reichsmark,but built a Einheits-Pkw 4 wheel drive and 4 wheel steering cost more than 8000 Reichsmark, Even the technologically much more complex later Schwimmwagen amphibious VW166 was cost 5450 Reichsmark much cheaper than the Kfz Einheits-Pkw a lot.In the immediate post-war years, all Type 60 chassis were converted to the military higher ground clearance Kubelwagen off road model, for example the VW 82e hard top off-road Sedan ,VW87 Kommandeurwagen (4wd version body from Kabrio-Limousine in its original civilian form Type 60 with special widened wheel fenders and running boards to make room for the big and wide off road tire) . If you read the Volkswagen story you will know that Volkswagen's people's car was developed by the Ferdinand Porsche design team in Stuttgart's town centre in 1934. During Professor Ferdinand Porsche's meeting with Adolf Hitler they had discussed a German people's car like 1920s Ford model T in America. This was their dream, a car which is very reliable, saved on fuel consumption, with 100 km/h on the road, light weight ,would have to be a full four-seater, easy in maintenance and low price and a car for every family. Before the meeting with Adolf Hitler, Ferdinand Porsche had also given this design to other car manufacturers such as Daimler-Benz but no one wanted to build such a good and low price car in Germany. Between 1935-38 the Porsche design team used all of their time to test their first series V1,V2 and V3, which nearly all use a Tubular backbone chassis with rear mount few ohv 2 cylinder air cooled petrol engine with manual 3 speed gear box, IFS, IRS suspension system and 2 door 4 seat steel body. After long distance test and a lot of improvements, a brand new 4-stroke, 4 cylinders (flat), four 985cc 23.5 hp air cooled engines; the car now looks very close to the 1938 VW30. At end of 1937 a VW30 full scale wooden model was ready, this is the first Split rear window Beetle prototype; just the vertical head lamps, rear skirt and rear stop light were to be modified by Porsche in January 1938. April 1938, the Porsche work shop built five 1:12 scale V303 model. The first one was sent to Hitler as a birthday present. One of these models is on display at the Deutsches Museum in Munich. 1939, the Porsche team were looking at a limited slip or a self locking differential from ZF for the Type 62 off road chassis. This type of positive locking differential was very modern at end of the 30's (like today's limited slip differential) was also fitted to the rear axle. This was very unique at that time. The self locking differential (LSD) gave the Kuebelwagen a good off-road performance. It is almost a substitute for 4x4 as both 62% weight of vehicle on the top of rear axle,2 rear wheels can be made to drive in mud, sand and snow. On the other hand the engineers wanted a four wheel drive system to make it ultimate in cross-country tractability for an amphibious Schwimmwagen land on soft mud. One of the most unusual and most fascinating early 62 off road Kubelwagen Typ 86 and beetle Typ 87 prototype been build between end of 1939- early1941 for test by Porsche and Nazi Army supply office. The Type 86,4wd design were completed during the summer of 1939, a propeller shaft was put inside the central Tubular backbone chassis, a second ZF positive locking differential was added at the mid-point of the front axle, power from the rear gear box to the front axle, a new 4 speed part time 4wd gear box fitted, with H 2 used on the road, H 4 for ice, snow, sand (and light off road) and a very low ratio special ratios 4wd gear (no reverse) for Max up 1:1 slope (100%) or Max towing. The hand brake needed move out of the tunnel because there was no room inside. Road gear and off road gear change lever also needed to be put on the top of tunnel. A new 1131 CC, 25 hp air-cooled ohv 4 cylinder boxer engine fitted for this 4x4, after the rough land test, vehicle returned to Stuttgart and modified. The rear axle fit a reduction gear (portal axle) to increase ground clearance. this new model call Typ 87.Because this reduction gear was on each wheel, the rear ring gear needed to be put on R hand side not L hand side to keep the rear wheels moving in the same direction. (A VW 87 training chassis is still keep in the Porsche Museum at Gmund,Carinthia. This chassis still runs on Kronprinz 12 inch sand tires, as did the cars of Afrika-Korps.) This reduction gear is the same as used on the VW82 Kubelwagen and the 1940 early Schwimmwagen Type128 prototype. The new Kdf Kafer Type 87 four wheel drive which has been running tests since early 1940, the off-road performance is very good, the 2 self locking differentials give the light weight Type 87/877/287 off-road Sedan all wheel drive in mud, sand and snow like a Track vehicle. In June there was an initial wash from an army unit for an all weather cross-country amphibious vehicle, based on the Type 87/877/287 four wheel drive Sedan running system, chassis and modified it into a monocoque brand new boat type body. This new body was very strong and light weight helping buoyancy and run on rough land with speeds of 80 km/h and 10km/h on rough land and water respectively. The Typ 86/87 prototype complete long drive shaft and front axle were also used by 30 unit of VW 128 prototype in 1940. It is not the same as the Schwimmwagen VW166, (1942-44) VW166 was a little narrower than VW86/87/877/287 and Type128 The drive shaft is also 400mm shorter than the VW 87/128. Porsche prototype 87 and few 128 Front axle case cable brake hole and speed meter gear hole position not the same as VW166 and VW87.The Volkswagen rear mount engine rear wheel drive system was very good for both on and off road, Today the Buggy used at Dakar Rally is a copy of the VW 82 Kubelwagen ,82e off-road Sedan. The VW 4-wheel drive system was much better for off road performance, with rear mount air cooled flat 4 engine, Central tube chassis, drive train in one straight line,indenpendent front two trailing arm with torsion bar and shock absorber and rear independent rear double joint swing axle with trailing arms and torsion bar and lever type shock absorber suspension, 4+1 low speed gear box, 2 self locking differential (LSD) at both 2 axles and is light weight. The Willys MB/GPW truck chassis can not compare, the 80s Paris to Dakar Rally winner Porsche 911 4wd and Porsche 959 4wd supercar layout same as the VW877.Today all super performance 4wd all use IFS, IRS, 2 Elec self locking differential (LSD), mid or rear mount engine,straight line drive train.No one used Jeep's truck leaf spring chassis and truck drive train. Throughout the War years, the Porsche workshops were full of interesting vehicles.1941 you still can see VW38, VW39, VW128, VW129,VW82,VW82e,VW877 Commander car, VW87 Kubelwagen, Type 68, Type 81, Type 64, VW62, Type 86. Only 30 units of Type 128 and less than 10 of Type 87 were built at the Porsche workshop in Stuttgart, few Type 87 converted to civilian Type 60 body,most with close cab and one with folding top. This was the new 4 Wheel Drive Sedan Type 877 used wid fender and wider running board to cover the wide off road tire.Also some sleeve-valved E60 twin carburettors engine,Supercharged engine,during 1938-1945 Porsche never stop test his sport car with the VW86 4wd early 62 Kubelwagens,VW87,VW877,VW82e,VW82 some picture show the sport car 38/42 was in the middle of a column of military vehicles. After war Ferry Porsche use all those information to build the new 356 flat 4 mid engine racing car and “Jagdwagen” Type 597 4 wheel drive German Jeep after WW2 . Before production Commander car at the Wolfsburg factory, Type 877 commander Sedan been wide testing to make sure the car is reliable. How many 4 wheel drive beetle were actually built can not 100% sure, The HWA (vehicle testing section) ordered 5000 unit 87/877,but According to information from Volkswagens.From 42-44 only 562 + 3 unit ( 3 unit VW877 build by British army for Test). more than 99% build by the Wolfsburg factory.More recent studies have indicated that this number is not definite,since all 4 wheel drive vehicle need front axle and 4 wheel drive gear box, between 1941-1944 due to the lack of supply,all front axle to build the all terrain Typ 87 chassis modified monocoque design Kradschutzenwagen (motorcycle rifleman car) later call Schwimmwagen (small amphibious 4x4.) to reolace German army 's motorcycle and side car unit.I belive may be less than 100 unit of four wheel drive Beetle and Kubelwagen been built for some Commander use only. Inside the front hood, the original Type 877 uses a handmade large fuel tank with a capacity of 40L. The fuel tank mounted on the bottom of the trunk and added with a new metal plate in front.There are two holes and two metal covers at both ends to sustaine the fuel tank inside Type 877 front hood and for an easier repair on the front axle. Unlike 877, Type 60 or Type 82e uses a round 25L fuel tank direct bolt on the transverse bar by strap, it is a smaller capacity for fuel storage and it can not prevent object from getting in between the incompleted gap.All post-war VW has chosen the VW 877 style fuel tank and uses sheet plate to cover the front axle. Today only a few VW 877 off road sedan are still in existence around the world. 4 wheel drive Kubelwagen VW87 never got to mass production. Type 877 Commanders , sedan were widely used in the Afrika-Korps and Waffen-SS as a Commander off road car at front line. Nearly all of them had an opening roof, near all distroyed at front line or vehicle had to be left behind due to no gas or small problem,in order to prevent the British from being able to put it to further use under their colours,it is set on fire.Today everyone knows the War time VW was the best mass production off road vehicle, simple, strong, very reliable, light, fuel efficient and has very good off road performance. Only a few VW 87/VW877 have survived, one VW 877 Commander's Sedan at Volkswagen museum in wolfsburg (this VW877 was one of three made in 1946, for testing by the British and Franch Army, front tube bumper was from another old British military vehicle). Another one at Porsche Auto Museum in Gmund. (This one is a Volkswagen too, it was build at 1942 or 44 and been fully restored like our one,use a early 50s body to rebuilt.) Others few (VW877) all owned by collectors.( At earlys 70s some people use 166 running gear to build their 4wd beetle, they try to use a VW82 Kubelwagen/VW82e staff car chassis and put 166 running gear, but a lot of problem, propeller shaft not long enough,front drive shaft not long enough,cable brake, speed meter hole not the same etc, most people will put a early 50s Type I body. This type of "87" got lot of problem.) The one we have is a very rare 41 prototype ( belive the one of the 3 final typ 877 prototype model )with a 25hp engine, Typ 877, four wheel drive off road version with the KdF 60 sedan body, This car we imported from Germany in mid of 2011, it is fully restored by Maik (he got this car from a collector in Austria).The non synchromesh 4 speed gear box,front axle,spare tire,mechanical cable control brakes,heavy dust type Cyclone Afrika-Korps Sahara desert Air Filter are original condition. Today this historic vehicle at Hong Kong With a Stuttgart temporary licence plate [ IIIA – 0 7 8 3 ].( before receiving its permanent Army number at 1941.) This car is the oldest know the most technically interesting 4 wheel drive off road Beetle in the world.Although reportedly, nearly all previous prototypes were destroyed by French and American bombing raids during 1944-45. This is one of the few Typ/VW 877 Command car hard top prototype hand build by Porsche design team in Stuttgart's Porsche workshop in early 1941. German Auto Companies do not want to remember the 3rd Reich period, and that's why you cannot find much war time 4wd historical information from Porsche and Volkswagen. Today concentrate only on the modern sports cars, 4 door cars and SUV. This is the history of VOLKSWAGEN, The Beetle developed by Ferdinand Porsche in the mid of 1930's. Spare parts for this car are not easy to find, the VW 166 is narrower than the VW87/VW877, if you got any VW128 or VW87/VW877 parts, such as axle, differential, half shaft, gear box, steering box,early Bosch steering wheel,body parts, chassis, 25hp engine, 12 inch wheel, 16 inch wide wheel ,ballon tire,12 inch mud tire or even some war time beetle picture, etc. Please e mail me a couple of photos of your parts that meet my criteria above. Send photos to: wwiivehicle@yahoo.com or Kdfvw@yahoo.com A final,I would like to say thank you to the AutoMuseum Volkswagen,PORSCHE AUTOMUSEUM and some German Grundmann Kdf collectors who has given me a great deal of help in pervious years.
Very rare early Kdf SplitBeetle (Type civilian 60/Typ 11) for Volkswagen Beetle collector. Poster Picture is not original Kdf 1948 - it is a replika reproduction 120 cm lang ,very good quality with one very rare 1941 VW877 Commander car. drawing cost only Euro 69 ( e mail kdfvw@yahoo.com )

Sehr seltene fruhe Kdf Split Kafer (Typ zivilen 60/Typ 11) fur Volkswagen Beetle collector. Poster Picture is not original Kdf 1948 - it is a replica reproduction 120cm long, sehr gute Qualitat mit einem sehr seltenen 1941 VW877 Kommandant Auto Zeichnung Euro 69 ( e mail kdfvw@yahoo.com )

Videos about this rare VW877 Commander car ( Sharp daily HK )
http://www.sharpdaily.hk/article/sup/20120104/38975

one nice restored rare Type 87 four wheel beetle at the Porsche museum in Gmund Carinthia,Austria.	This is a VW 87 build by British army after the war at 1946.the front fenders and roller tube bumper was not original Porsche design.