Got donated this treasure today and thought i'd share the news paper clipping from a QLD-Brisbane local paper, not sure which one. Came from my partner's father, whom found it in an old newspaper from his father (my partner's grandfather, whom has been long gone for a while now).

its pre-WWII, but discusses Herr Hitler's plan for the 'people's car', the basic concept prior to Dr. Porsche turning the idea in reality. I love the line, "Anyone able to afford a Mercedes could buy one". , certainly not a good selling point if related to today's market.

For interest sake i included a scan on what was published on the otherside for curiosity (what was news in the 'old days'.) Luxury steamers do sound nice :P

Wonder if that's the same Burns Philp that owned BBC hardware ?

Chris,

The article mentions the recent laying of the foundation stone of the (later to become named Wolfsburg) factory.

So, that would put the article at around June 1938 as, I would imagine it would have taken a while for the news to travel to the likes of us back then.


Adolf Hitler laying the foundation stone of the KDF-Wagen (Volkswagen) factory near Fallersleben (Wolfsburg) on 26 May 1938. Ferdinand Porsche at far right.


Regards,

Matt.

Great read and find, lucky you chris.
I enjoy old paperclippings
good stuff TC

Hi

So what sort of car is that in the article photo?

I love reading old papers. I bought all the papers that were out on the day my son was born in 1991, they are a great read.

Steve

Steve,

As the article mentioned that "anyone who can afford a mercedes could buy one"

Could be that the picture is a rough drawing of a merc of that time. Maybe a 170H????





Regards,

Matt.

Definitely late May or early June 1938, as Matt has said, as that's when the factory foundation stone was laid. That stone, by the way, was ripped out in the 1950s when they built the factory office tower, and it was dumped into landfill. Its exact location today is unknown.

I don't know what that photo shows, but from the cooling louvres in the front I'm guessing a DKW.

The State Library of NSW has most of the major Australian newspapers on microfiche. They are a great resource for old VW stuff, and also for general browsing. Very easy to get page copies too - you just take a USB stick. The fiche viewer is attached to a PC, and you just save a 'screen dump' to the USB. I recently got copies of the first release movie ads for the four Herbie movies ('69, '74, '77 and '80) that way. Major suburban libraries also have their local papers on fiche too - Bankstown Library has the Torch, Hurstville has the Leader, etc. These are great for 1960s VW dealer ads.

There is a microfiche index for the Sydney Morning Herald. I have been able to find some great period VW road tests in the paper that way, which have been reprinted in Zeitschrift.

You can also buy original bound copies of the newpaper for any day, such as the day YOU were born. These make a great gift for yourself or a loved one. Just go to http://www.paperworld.com.au/ 

How did news from europe get here in the 30's? How fast do pigeons fly :P The shipping ads have dates as early as 30 May.