1968 Volkswagen Country Buggy by AutoCult (1:43 scale)

AutoCult continues their line of scale model cars for fans of obscure automotive design with this 1968 Volkswagen Country Buggy.

– Bill@ChoiceGear

Description

German Engineering for “Down Under”

In the early 1960s, the Australian Army joined VW-Australasia Ltd. And wished for an all-wheel drive, off-road vehicle for their fleet.

However, it was not possible to offer a four-wheel drive for the German branch, but the two VW employees Cyril Harcourt and Rudi Herzmer were enthusiastic – so much so that they designed a small, robust car in 1964, adapted to the requirements of the Australian continent. Towards the end of 1965 five ready-to-run prototypes were finally put on the wheels and were subsequently intensively tested over several thousand kilometers in all regions of Australia. The public first saw the vehicle at the Melbourne Motor Show in March 1967. On April 3, 1968, the first buggy came into the market.

The Australians, however, found it very difficult to enjoy the squat Volkswagen. In 1968 only 842 copies were sold. This was far behind the maximum production of 1,800 units per year permitted by the German mother house. But even in 1969 there was no increased demand and the statistics remained at the end of the year even with only 542 sold models. For 1970, the situation became even more disastrous. Only 363 buyers wanted to have the buggy and this meant at the same time also the Aus for the production. At least for the time being. For an order of exactly 228 vehicles from the Philippines in 1971, the production for the year 1972 was again taken, but after that it was finally concluded with the production of the Spartan, angular buggies. But even in 1969 there was no increased demand and the statistics remained at the end of the year even with only 542 sold models. For 1970, the situation became even more disastrous.

Only 363 buyers wanted to have the buggy and this meant at the same time also the Aus for the production. At least for the time being. For an order of exactly 228 vehicles from the Philippines in 1971, the production for the year 1972 was again taken, but after that it was finally concluded with the production of the Spartan, angular buggies. But even in 1969 there was no increased demand and the statistics remained at the end of the year even with only 542 sold models. For 1970, the situation became even more disastrous. Only 363 buyers wanted to have the buggy and this meant at the same time also the Aus for the production. At least for the time being. For an order of exactly 228 vehicles from the Philippines in 1971, the production for the year 1972 was again taken, but after that it was finally concluded with the production of the Spartan, angular buggies.

This means that the production number remained exactly at 1,956 copies.

Details: AutoCult.de 

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