Erik - I will stay tuned up and follow along.

Did this Type 82 VW have the short finger handles that pulled out and backwards?
Those b&w photos are great by the way in conjunction with the Tamiya body.

The front fenders in the book photo look wider than the Tamiya ones. Are they? You going to cut them off or? And the one with the soft top has a radio antenna mounted on the driver's side. That vehicle looks worthy of modeling. You'll have some fun with this project for sure no matter which direction you choose.

Sure is a lot different VW than the Tamiya '66 bug I'm working on and just finished painting the body. See attached photo.

1 attached image. Click to enlarge.

Sorry - I did leave out the word pic in two of my []'s - it is now corrected and should make for a better read @eb801 and @fiveten.

Eric, great questions; The fenders are actually the same on both types as far as I can tell

The fingertype were not used on the 87, as there were a very strong and reliable (simple) solution in the original one-point handle/locking mechanism. That in connection with the relatively heavy and long bonnet hinged in the back made the weight sufficient to keep it in place.

On some woodburners the original mechanism had to give way to the installation of the stove, and springloaded holdfasts were used

I love your laterdate VW - is it too late to make a build log of it?

Another small update on its way in a few minutes.

Love these "extensions", my friend @airbum!
Looking forward to see these joints smoothened!

Thank you gents.
Spiros @fiveten, so do I!
Eric @eb801, I am not entirely sure they are not too far out by now, but that is better that having to add more.
I shall continue my quest here;

Two, no, Three to make one?

Digging a bit deeper the challenges adds up, and I sort of knew they would

Of course the Type 82 is not a 4WD, and some details have to be added. I found a drawing for the frontwheel driveshaft of a Schwimmwagen (type 128), stating it is the same as Type 87!

Now, Schwimmwagen you said?

To get moving I may source these, ending up with using three kits to make one 1/48 bubble! Well, that is the reality if you want to make something a bit different, and after all a kit does not cost a lot more than buying AM parts – only AM parts does not exist for this conversion – that is, the wheels does, and I have ordered a set from Hauler – and some PE too. (and a set of custommade 3D wheels for a roadversion of the type 82E – perhaps a type 60, but that is for another day)

Thanks @fiveten. Check this, as I discover that I have ine kit too many 🙂

too small!

The plans get changed as I discover the “truth”

Sadly the axle track on the type 166 is shorter that on a type 128, and far too narrow for a type 87, let alone a type 82. On top of that the wheelbase is also shorter. The wheelbase for the type 82 and the type 82E are the same in the kits (as they ought to be)

The aft wheels do however have the correct reductiongrar on the wheel.

next up will be some progress of the disassembly – not for the fainthearted!

Thank you @fiveten - and now some;

Surgery!

The saw is brought out and it is time for more plastic dust

As I wanted to get the floor and stuff right for a type 87, I decided to mix the two bottom frames into one.

Saw alone does not do the trick, so out came the small screwdrill to chaindrill along the edges not reachable by saw.

Testing the fit

And the bumper?

next up I might install the wheelguards, or perhaps finish the floor – stay tuned

Thanks @fiveten. another update here;

Instrumentpanel and rear compartment

I did not quite get to finishing the floor

As it seems like I have to think a lot about how I cut and add. The instrumentpanel got its glovecompartments drilled out though

As the floor from the Type 82 is to be used, I have to find a way to install the backseat and the transmission mix.

I just realise I forgot to make a photosession of the wheelguards installation. It will all be seen finished in the next post I think – tune in again soon