Steve Müller's 1952 Cabriolet

This car left the Karmann factory on October 28th, 1952 and was delivered to Kraus VW, Nüremberg the next day. This makes the car an oval dash split or "Zwitter" - only 831 such cars were made. This car is believed to be the oldest Zwitter, sedan or cabrio, still surviving! The chassis number is 1-0397910. The original engine number, though not the one now in the car, was 481436.

The first owner was a German opera singer, who owned it until 1954. The next owner brought the car to Australia when he emmigrated in 1958. The car was (partially) converted to RHD in 1959. (The speedo is still on the left!)

This owner drove the car 400,000k, including towing a caravan around Australia! During this time, the car went through 3 engines and 2 transmissions. He finally sold it in 1972 to a car yard in Melbourne.

Steve bought the car from the next owner.

It is interesting to note that the wheels of this car, stamped "3 52", are 15" and not 16".

Seen here in "as found" condition this car is currently under restoration. Steve has nearly all the parts needed, including the original sales documents, but is in need of sunvisors, wire wiper blades, accessory map light and the alloy frame for the interior light. Email us if you can locate these parts.

The day Steve took delivery of the car, he received a call from a friend who was at a swap meet in Adelaide, South Australia, who asked if he needed any parts for the car. Steve said: "Yeah, a back window!" The guy in Adelaide said he thought so, because he had just bought a '52 Cabrio rear glass!

We will soon be able to show you the finished car.