Hot VWs Magazine - JULY 2023

Hot VWs Magazine - JULY 2023

On the cover: A very rare Ghia! Paul Smet’s ‘59 coupe, assembled in Switzerland! (Photo: Shin Watanabe)

VINTAGE SPECIAL

TWO EXTRAORDINARY UNOFFICIAL VWS
Created by Dr. Ferdinand Porsche, the Volkswagen Beetle had a chassis that combined an advanced torsion bar suspension and an air-cooled four-cylinder boxer engine mounted in the rear. Some German coach-builders found the vehicle to have great potential, especially the fact that the body could be easily separated from the chassis/drivetrain. Introducing two of these coachbuilt cars.

AUSTRIAN POLIZEI CABRIOLET
Vehicles used for public service or by government officials have often had a difficult life due to their daily use, leading to high mileage. Even well-kept and maintained cars usually ended up in wrecking yards, thereby being rarely handed to car enthusiasts. Take this police vehicle for instance – no one seemed interested in it except the current owner’s grandfather.

A SWISS MADE LOWLIGHT
HotVWs magazine has featured its fair share of pre-1960 Karmann Ghia (aka “Lowlights”) during its 55 years of publication. However, this is the very first time we highlight the unique model featured here, which even hardcore VW enthusiasts may not know about.

DOUBLE STANDARDS
Among the already rare Split Window Beetle models, Standards remain the most unusual, especially in the United States. Imagine our surprise, when we found a pair of them painted L21 Pearl Grey residing in the same region. Better yet, these two 1951 examples are entirely original, unrestored and feature some great patina.