Karlsbader Reise 1938 - Volkswagen - KdF-Wagen

The car in this film The car featuring in the film is a Volkswagen. However, in the pre-war years it was referred to as the KdF-wagen (Kraft durch Freude, or Strength through Joy-car). For Ferdinand Porsche the KdF project was project 60. This limousine with sunroof was a VW38. Its licenceplate is clearly visible: IIIA - 43016. This makes it easier to determine more about the car itself. The building of this KdF-series began in juni 1938. This specific car was also built in 1938, but received the later and better 1939 motor. I have a picture of this car along 8 other KdF wagens in the winter of 1938-39 (Birth of the Beetle by Chris Barber, page 167)). All cars produced were still so called ’Versuchswagen’ (try-out cars). This meant that they were still only used for testing and publicity trips. There was no sale to the public yet. Later, some cars were given to high ranking Nazi party members. For example, car IIIA - 43017 was given to Robert Ley (boss of the Deutsche Arbeits Front), for his depar