 This World War II vehicle was based on the VW Kübelwagen and was not armoured at all. Its main function was to deceive the enemy. During World War II, Hitler's army created this fake tank, called the Porsche Type 823 and put into operation in 1939. The project had the direct involvement of Ferdinand Porsche. It was based on the VW Type 82, the Kübelwagen, a light vehicle for reconnaissance and transport missions —which in turn used the chassis and other mechanical components of the KDF-Wagen (the Beetle)— and which in military terms was the equivalent of the American Willys/Ford Jeep, but without 4X4 traction. Therefore, in some sources it is possible to find the nomenclature “VW Type 823”. The main function of the Porsche Type 823 was to confuse the enemy army, since seen from a distance it looked like a tank. Seen from above or through binoculars, it was very deceptive! Porsche Type 823: an “armoured” vehicle without armourHowever, it was not armoured. Its body was made of ordinary steel that could not withstand even a revolver shot, let alone a heavier weapon. The windows were not bulletproof either. There were “banana” arrows just behind the side windows! Its removable side fairings gave the impression of a vehicle equipped with “tracks” like real battle tanks. Although the spare wheel with a VW hubcap installed at the front gave away the farce. It had no side doors and access was via a trapdoor located in the turret, which was accessed from the rear, by means of a step and two handrails. Armament: only one MG 34 machine gun. Although it was a fake armoured vehicle, the Porsche Type 823 was also used in reconnaissance missions, moving with ease over any type of terrain, just like the Kübelwagen, especially if the side fairings were removed. Its production was low and very few surviving examples remained. The one illustrated in our article was sold in 2016 for 28,000 dollars in the United States. It retains many original details, although its original 985 cc engine has been replaced by a Beetle 1200 from the 1960s.
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1938 BMW 326 CabrioletThe BMW 326 is a medium-sized sedan produced by BMW between 1936 and 1941, and again briefly, under Soviet control, after 1945. It had an innovative design and sold well despite its relatively high price. It also had an unusually involved afterlife. Was introduced at the Berlin Motor Show in February 1936. The 326 was a success. By the time production was suspended in 1941, the Eisenach plant had produced 15,949 of them. Next
1954 Jaguar XK 120 SE RoadsterDue to both the shift towards building vehicles for war and the bombing campaigns in Western Europe, the years immediately following the conclusion of World War II saw manufacturers continue production of models introduced before the conflict, making this period a rather bland rehash. Although Jaguar was in the same boat with the production of its 4 and 6 cylinder cars, its latest creation had been a long time coming. During the war, Sir William Lyons’ engineering team began developing an advanced engine with enough power to stay ahead of the competition for several years. To house this spectacular engine, the company needed an equally spectacular vehicle – the XK120. |
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