VW 39–the last of its kind

A stately 32 hp and a top speed of 145 km/h—the VW Beetle 39 was a high-speed prototype. Porsche built 14 of the pre-series vehicles. After its restoration, the last VW 39 is as good as new.

There’s a good deal of Porsche in this Volkswagen. Discovered beneath war rubble, the car has been painstakingly restored. This ur-Beetle was specially designed by Dr. Ferdinand Porsche and his son Ferry as a high-speed variant. Porsche built a total of 14 prototypes of the car in 1939.

Around-the-world trip in a Porsche 928 S4? Not the only adventurous tour by Frenchman Philippe Delaporte:

Buckle up and come along for the ride; all episodes are available here:

[-TJ-]

32 HP reaching 145 km/h. That is impressive.

[thomasgary]

My grandpa bought one brand new in 1959, he drove it for many years, he gave it to my dad at some point in the early 80s dad drove it for many years. When I was a teenager dad wouldn't let me touch it lol. In 2016 dad gave the little old bug to me. I drive it quite a bit. I think it has had at least 10 different engines in it, about 5 or 6 transmissions and hundreds of tires in its lifetime, anyway its still going strong.

[blerimking]

A really beautiful car. I love this car

[hammmodjabeer]

One of the most beautiful cars in history

[mhsigrist]

Imagine going 145km/h on a highway...in a beetle!

[josephbingham]

Somewhere I read that once up to cruising speed the beetle took only nine horsepower to keep it moving at that rate.

[rgarlinyc]

Always loved this quirky little bug... and kicking myself for not hanging onto the much used 2nd-hand (really 10th or 12th hand) I once owned.

[capitansuarez]

I wouldn’t trade or sell this car unless you have 10 billion truly which is insane. The only 39 VW remaining. Yeah you have true German History right there. 🙏🙏🇩🇪🇩🇪🔥🔥🔥🔥

[ziggyiggy]

Porsche really should make a comeback with these cars again. Making the first models like these now, and add the “newer older” ones in the later years

[toddvanwinkle]

She is gorgeous....Id enjoy seeing her in person!!

[rickintexas]

It is so awesome that one has survived.

[mikedawolf]

I guess Porsche really liked those oval lights for his cars

[eggman]

Is this the one that James May drove in the "Cars of the People" series?

[Sokol]

This car 1.00003 survive the WW 2 but was almost totally destroyed by a fire in a collector garage in 2011, took 3 years to be rebuild again.

[rtdm]

Getting harder to find and getting better in value on all vw classics

[zas]

In California and probably most of the United States probably some places in Europe This cars worth probably $100, 000 if not more especially if there's only one left

[asutaytlk]

sunla 5dk gezsem ne dert kalır ne tasa

[ruthyaircooled]

Simply beautiful 😍 i want a porsche engine, too 😊

[jamzalmarri]

First! And btw I own both Porsche 911 and a classic VW beetle!

[Francesco-]

I'm italian and i have a 54 hp Fiat panda 1100cc Fire and it only speeds 130 kmh(80 mph)