Posted by: pre67vw - 07 August 2026 12:31:05
I'm looking to identify some of the early Karmann cabrio prototypes, it seems like the Hebmuller prototypes are known, but the early Karmann models aren't. I believe there were two prototypes built by Karmann in 1946, Richard Berryman was keen on the project but it was later stopped due to lack of parts. It also looks as though another 4 seater cabrio was built in-house during this period which features the twin horns mounted into the front wings which was a signature of VW internal prototype department headed by Rudolf Ringel.  [attach]9638[/attach][attach]9637[/attach] Then in 1947 Karmann bought another car to convert, which I think was the two tone car with flat windscreen top, this was a private purchase and not an official VW project: [attach]9639[/attach] Then in 1949 when Nordhoff was in control of the factory, Karmann presented this car to him as a prospective project. Nordhoff then gave the go-ahead for Karmann to produce some official prototypes, with the requirement that it shared as much as possible as the 2 seater hebmuller. Hebmuller were the lead developers of the project having started their official prototypes earlier and Karmann were to use what parts they could. The Karmann prototypes had the front semaphores and 3 were made, delivered June and July 1949 [attach]9640[/attach] This car has a number 15-2 mounted on the front so I would say this is prototype 2  [attach]9643[/attach][attach]9642[/attach] This is another car with the front semaphore, could be prototype 3? [attach]9644[/attach] At some time I believe that the 1947 car with the flat windscreen top was probably re-painted and modernized as it would have looked a bit old next to the new prototypes and was seen at a motor show advertising Karmann (not VW). [attach]9641[/attach] Then on the 22 July 1949, Karmann were given the go-ahead for 25 demonstration cars which there seems very little information about, before the contract for 1000 production cars was signed in August 1949. If anyone has any other information it would be gratefully received!

Posted by: Schepmuller - 07 August 2026 21:49:48
Great work ROB, I searched for extra picts on that one with flat frontwindow on the exhibition... No luck so far to find info. THe proto's and maybe also the pre production had the line to split the 2 colours above the trim line. There was indeed a huge obligate coöperation ordered from VW to Karmann to use a) as much production parts and b) as much as possible Hebmuller parts. For example the reinforcement rails under the heater channels and the inner stiffners under the front hood for the windowframe to name some.

Posted by: six-o-one - 09 August 2026 15:10:52
I’ve had a look through all my VW books and can’t find anything more about the early prototypes or first 1000 early cars Karmann built. Does your’s still have the original chassis? Any sign of the original semaphore position? Yours must be must be one of the 25 pre-production cars as the earliest cars from the first 1000 in The Karmann registry have the larger tank.  [img]blob:https://www.pre67vw.com/d64046ca-961d-42d1-bcd5-156bc623e164[/img][attach]9645[/attach]

Posted by: pre67vw - 09 August 2026 19:38:34
I think it is one of the 25, it's all handmade, different from the later cars. But semaphores definitely in the rear quarter and no sign of them up front, unfortunately the original chassis is long gone as are any other numbers

Posted by: TRS63 - 10 August 2026 07:12:24
Great informations here Rob, thanks for sharing! Bests Antoine