This 1949 VW Split Window Beetle once patrolled the German Border | The Purist | Gav Lloyd

Описание: Gav Lloyd takes his '49 German Border Patrol Volkswagen full circle from Panscraper to sympathetic patina resto.

» Please Subscribe:    / @the.purist  
» Check out my other tapes:    • The debut of a VW Karmann Ghia 'lowlight' ...  

FOLLOW ME
  / the.purist  
  / @thepurist.au  

In this episode, we take a dive into the amazing story of one of the oldest Volkswagens on Australia's roads—a 1949 Volkswagen Standard split rear window Beetle owned by Gav Lloyd from Shoalhaven, NSW. This isn’t just a car; it’s a piece of history with a fascinating global journey, spanning multiple decades and continents.

This Beetle’s story begins in post-war Germany, where it rolled off the production line in late '49 as a Standard VW Type 1 model. Its first life was spent in the German Border Police (Deutsche Grenzpolizei or DGP), a paramilitary force guarding the German border with Czechoslovakia during the tense early years of the Cold War where it served faithfully from 1949 to 1956.

In later years, the car made its way to the United States, where it underwent a dramatic transformation. It was then painted yellow and the highly sought after split-window was replaced with an oval-window to modernise it. It was slammed and modified to become a Panscraper—a radically slammed Volkswagen built for cruising low and throwing sparks. After its time in the U.S., the car journeyed to the United Kingdom, where it became a legend in the U.K. & European VW scene before eventually catching the eye of Gav.

A dedicated classic car enthusiast, Gav decided to bring this historic car down under. Once imported to Australia, he realised the condition was far worse than he'd envisioned and so he set out to restore it back to its original guise whilst retaining as much of it's beautiful patina. Through meticulous attention to detail, Gavin worked to peel back decades of modifications, bringing the car back to its roots as a German Border Patrol vehicle.

Gavin's perserverance in restoring this Beetle showcases the passion and craftsmanship that fuels vintage VW enthusiasts. From undoing its lowered stance, rebuilding the bottom 6" of the car, to sourcing rare, original parts, his work is a testament to preserving the heritage of one of the automotive world’s most iconic brands. His love for vintage Volkswagens isn’t just about the cars themselves but the stories, culture, and connections they foster.

In a community where modified and slammed rides often steal the spotlight, this 1949 VW Splitwindow Bug resto takes a refreshing turn back to it's humble beginnings and takes it's rightful place in the Australian vintage VW scene.

📢 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more stories about incredible cars and the people who love them. Please share the vid with your mates.

#vintageporn
#aircooledvw
#carrestoration
#vintagevolkswagen
#gavlloyd
#splitwindowbug
#AustralianVWscene
#panscrapers
#thelowerclass
#thepurist