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Heer (Armed Forces Army) embossed registration plate reads“WH-29624.”The 15th Panzer Division was defeated by the British 8thArmy in the Libyan Dessert. This defeat brought about the endof the Afrikakorps—probably when this vehicle was “captured.”TREK TO AMERICAThe U.S. Army brought the vehicleto the United States, where aleading university used this vehicleas a basis to write the technicalmanual (TM E9-803). Figure 1,page 3 of this manual shows thecaptured Kubelwagen with thesame embossed license plate as wefound on our discovery. The tiresare original mismatched set as theyappear in the technical manual.The army had the manual madefor U.S. troops to assist them in usingenemy equipment when theyarrived in enemy territory. Whenthe U.S. Army was finished withtheir research, they sold the capturedkubelwagen to Mickey Finn’sArmy Navy Store.This vehicle was used by War Surplus Giant Mickey Finn’sof Boston, as part of a war bond tour. Printed on this vehicle forthe tour are the captions:*Brought to this country by the US Army andloaned to a leading University for study.*Designed by 3rd Reich for Desert warfare*Original tires, engine – transmission and body*Battle-scared German Volkswagen*Used by Rommel’s Africa Corps*Desert of Africa in World War IICollege Park Maryland at the National Archives providedvaluable general information. For example, a U.S. Intelligenceunit from Cairo Egypt was produced stating that the Germanswere using allied headlights to replace their inferior lamps on theGerman vehicles. This vehicle has allied headlights.They also provided shipping documents for two Kubelwagens,indicating transfer from the British 8th Army to the USArmy. The dates were consistent with this vehicle’s capture.The Volkswagen factory in Germany provided the certificateof origin and date of build (Feb. 21, 1941). Their records indicateit was delivered to the German Army on March 1, 1941.Thankfully, the original dataplate was still present. From it, thePaul and Steve were able to determine it was built in 1941. Theserial number provided the basis for even more informationfrom Volkswagen’s archives.RESTORE OR NOT RESTORE?This was a perfect candidate for the “restore or not to restore”debate. The decision was made to leave this vehicle intactand as original as possible.The engine needed an overhaul before it would run. Theengine was removed and brokendown. It was apparent that #3 cylinderwas corroded in place. Because23.5 hp engine gaskets areno longer available, New EnglandDie Cutting of Haverhill, Mass.,created replacement gaskets fromthe originals.No parts were changed or removedto keep the integrity of thevehicle as-found. The body wasleft untouched in the condition itwas purchased.A bullet entrance hole is locatedin the driver’s left windshieldpost and continues throughthe driver’s seat back, through theforward engine bulkhead and exitsthrough the rear engine compartmentlid. Written on the leftfront side cowling of the vehicle is: “See 30 cal. bullet hole inwindshield.”The vehicle is nearly complete, missing only the Notek lamp.The original wooden duck board floor grate is still intact. Theengine compartment upper deck is dished in two places (on leftand on right) that correspond to imprints of personnel riding onthe upper deck. Though the canvas seats show deterioration, theunderlying structures are intact.NOT THE END OF A JOURNEYThe five-year search for this vehicle validates the importanceof always checking every lead. Knowing that it was once forgottenin a junk yard has made the past 10 years of ownership,research, and preservation even more significant. ✪(Below) Surprisingly, when they discovered the vehicle, it was prettymuch in the same condition as when it wasshipped to the United States. Though it hadlater been used to sell war bonds, the onlymissing item was the Notek lamp.Military Vehicles Magazine June 2013 79