The Cal-look Lounge

Just got back from a evening appointment for a client who wanted a new kitchen, I know it doesn't sound interesting but as the guy was showing me around his house I saw a crude model of a split screen bug on the top of one of his display cabinets in his hallway.

I asked him if it was a tinplate model to which he says yes.  I then said "my mate got the real thing and its a 1949 model". He then replies "that about the same age as the model, it was made in the 40's."

Now I'm really interested

Turns out that it was a model of his fathers ( a British army officer by the name of Ashworth ) staff car that he was issued when he was helping to start the Hanover vw factory. The model was made by 12 of the workers at Hanover and given to his son ( my client ) as a gift from the workers

He proudly showed me the model and how he had repainted it 30 years ago ( whoops bad move )

The car appeared to be a one pice body over a floor pan. The floorpan was made in two pieces and crudely welded in the middle .

The cool bit was that it had a split dashboard with a metal tube coming up through the dash and out through the roof which used to have a steering wheel attached to turn the front wheels.

Unfortunately the steering wheel had gone but it still had its 1940's wheels and chunky tires.

I had to tell him that it would be worth a fair bit and not to sell it off cheap, to which he said that he had a presentation certificate with an photo and 12 signatures also given to him when he got the car. :o 8)

I'm sorry no photos but he was now a bit nervous when he found out it would be worth something, as he and his wife were burgled about 18 months ago so he was reluctant for me to take some photos.

Anyway it made my evening and I thought I'd share it with you

Regards Ron

That sounds so awesome!

Cool story and bit of history.