Registry Objective
The objective is to provide a list that not only shows surviving Schwimmwagens in pictures, but it should also include vehicle details. Additionally, the list provides insight in the coherence among the numbers (serialnumber, bodynumber, enginenumber, date of production etc).
 

How it all started
Many Schwimmwagen owners have communicated to this website so therefore there was a good opportunity to start a list of surviving Schwimmwagens. There are more Schwimmers around than the ones depicted in the list. Slowly but surely the list will expand and show more survivors.

Contents of the registry
We are trying to collect these information belonging to a particular VW-Schwimmwagen:
- serialnumber, bodynumber, enginenumber
- lifespan of the vehicle
- pictures showing the vehicle, the more the better
- date of production
- date and place of delivery


Publication of the registry
The registry is shown here vw166.com/schwimmwagen/registry. It shows a picture of nearly every car, there most important numbers and country name. We always attempt to ask permission before showing a car in the list. As written earlier, the registry contains much more detailed information but the information shown should be limited in order to protect the owner's privacy. If you notice errors or if you are aware of the sale of a vehicle shown in my list, please contact us. Many thanks for providing the information of their cars and for supporting the registry.


How to support the registry
If you happen to own a Schwimmwagen or if you know an owner, please inform us. Of course all pictures and information will be very much appreciated.

 

The question would arise when a Schwimmwagen can be considered original. This is no exact science and different opinions may exist amongst enthousiasts.

The view of this registry is outlined as follows: the very basis of a vehicle in general is the chassis. The chassis transfers the loads imposed to the axles and wheels. Loads generally consist of the loads imposed by body of the vehicle, mechanical parts, the driver and passenger, and temporary loads such a luggage. Often the chassis is used to verify the authenticity of a vehicle. Many institutions in various countries therefore use the chassisnumber as the major means of identification. We feel that the original chassis is important for a Schwimmwagen to be identified as "authentic".

One may argue that the Schwimmwagen doesnot have a traditional chassis on to which a body is bolted. This is indeed true, a Schwimmwagen has a monocoque structure. A definition would be as follows:

"Monocoque is a construction technique that supports structural load by using an object's exterior, as opposed to using an internal frame or truss that is then covered with a non-load-bearing skin or coachwork. The word monocoque comes from the Greek for single (mono) and French for shell (coque)." (Source: Wikipedia)

or in simple terms: "An aircraft or motor vehicle design in which the frame and body are built as a single integrated structure." (Source: Wiktionary)
 

We therefore consider the monocoque Schwimmwagen structure to fullfil the role of both chassis and body as an integrated structure. As this is the very nature of the vehicle a substantial part is required in order to call a vehicle authentic. Original mechanical parts are therefore in our view not the only parts which make a Schwimmwagen authentic; it is the hull, tub, body or better in german "Wanne".
 

The next question would be, what amount of the "Wanne" is required at minumum? Again this is subject to different opinions but we feel that the most important areas particular to the Schwimmwagen are as follows:

1.
The rear are where the gearbox is situated and where the rear axles exit the body. This is unique to the Schwimmwagen and was patented by one of its designing engineers Erwin Kommeda: "Schwimmwagen mit pendelnden Halbachsen" at 19.06.1941.
(Source: http://www.komenda.at/bp/patentjpg/patentejpg/DE737529.gif)

2.
The front are where the front axle would be bolted to the body

3.
The body should be continuous between the described areas 1 and 2.

If a vehicle has original areas 1, 2 and 3 it will be listed in this registry.

Example
The following vehicle is currently being restored and is considered being an original Schwimmwagen and is listed in the registry.