Although a few cabriolets were manufactured before and during the war, the production really started in 1949. From the two convertible models proposed that year, one only lasted all these years. It is interesting today to have a close look at this favorite car. By Jacky Morel, drawings Pascal Meslet, photos archives VAG.

1946...   In 1946, two cabriolets on berline basis are constructed by the Volkswagen experts. The first one, finished in July, is a two-seats made for the Colonel Radclyfe, military governor of the district. The second cabriolet, coming out from the production links on December 10, 1956, is a Type 15, four-seats, and will be used by the Major Ivan Hirst, the man who re-launched the Volkswagen production in 1945. Nine days later, four other cabriolets Type 15 come out from the factory, one of them being delivered to Karmann at Osnabrück, and the other one to the french military government. These two models announce those that will be mass-produced later. In 1948, the mass production of the Beetle starts strongly. Heinz Nordhoff, just nominated at Volkswagen management, wants to add a cabriolet version. As the production links are mainly occupied by berlines production, he finally chooses to sub-contract the cabriolet manufacture and thinks about two outside manufacturers, already known for the quality of their work. They are Hebmüller & Sons Coachwerk, from Rulfrath, and Karmann Coachwerk from Osnabrük. Hebmüller have something to do with this decision. Already working as sub-contracter for VW, as they produced police cars, their engineers are already familiarised with the 1946 cabriolets, that they often can see in details. Josef Hebmüller, who foresees a good market share, will convince Nordhoff to let him produce a prototype for a further mass-production. Mid 1948, he obtains the agreement with very simple specifications : maximal utilisation of the berline elements to minimize the production cost. He finally manufactures 3 prototypes that are delivered for Christmas ! After serious tests and some modifications, Nordhoff signs an order form for 2000 exemplaries. The first Type 15, also known as Cabriolet four-seats, is certainly this one. Out from the links in December 1946, it had the particularity to have a non-rigid back window in two parts. During the same period, Wilhelm Karmann, who has had the same idea for a while already, obtains the right to buy a berline. Indeed at that time, one could not easily obtain a VW and needed a special authorization. The Beetle is immediately brought to the Karmann workshops where it is cut up and modified in order to become a four-seats cabriolet ! Presented to Nordhoff, it is also tested, and, as for Hebmüller, Nordhoff signs an order for 1000 exemplaries. The first Hebmüller cabriolet commercialised is produced in April 1949 on a February chassis and its seems as if it still exists. This one was probably used as a prototype for a first production serie, because, the main serie production really starts in June, month during which 27 Hebmüller are manufactured, on the new export model basis.   One of the first cabriolets manufactured before the war is kept at the VW Museum. The lateral back windows are fixed and removable when the top is folded open. Indeed, on July 1st of this year, Volkswagen presents the export model, equipped with interesting new items such as side aluminium mouldings, the steps and the hood, the chromed wheel covers and door handles, or the ivory colour dashboard and three branches steering-wheel. At the same time, Karmann also presents his cabriolet, a deluxe/export model. The success of both cabriolets is immediate, thanks, between other things, to a relatively low price, but also because many personalities from show business or jet society buy this small convertible VW which becomes the fashion car.   If during the first year, both models production figures are equivalent (approximately 300 exemplaries each), it will not be the same in 1950, as Karmann manufactures over 2500 four-seats cabriolets, while Hebmüller will only produce 319 cabriolets. The reason for this difference is simple : on July 23rd, 1949, a huge fire has destroyed most of Hebmüller's workshops, considerably slowing the production, and, most serious, incurring important financial difficulties, that the small enterprise will never overcome. Although the production goes on slowly (it is possible that Karmann may have assembled some Hebmüller's cabriolets), it is practically stopped at the end of April 1949. The model produced by Karmann will obvously widely benefit from this catastroph and will thus start a major worldwide career which will end in 1980 only.   To help you consulting, we present year by year the evolution of these famous cabriolets 1949 >>>

	All these informations on the cabriolet come out from the Super VW Magazine number 9 .