Busch 46735 – VW Hebmüller, convertible closed

VW Hebmüller

Means of transport in the course of time. On October 18, 1889, Joseph Hebmüller, born in Ossnaggern (formerly East Prussia) on September 29, took over the bankrupt coachman Sauer in Barmen, in which he had previously begun his employment as a wagon-maker. The artisanal family business with initially 10 employees was expanded in the following years by 20 employees. Among the journeymen was even the later, first German President Friedrich Ebert. With the help of his four sons, the company of skilled wheelwright Joseph Hebmüller developed very successfully until his death in 1919. Afterwards, his sons invested in the manufacture of automobile bodies and designed and built various limousines. From the 1930s, the Gebrüder Hebmüller also produced for large-scale manufacturers such as Opel and Ford, which developed convertibles and open sports cars. In 1948, the production of the elegant two-seater VW Cabriolet with fully retractable top was added, for which there was an order of 2,000 pieces from the Volkswagen factory. However, a devastating conflagration on 23 July 1949 destroyed the production facilities so much that only 696 units could be produced. Reconstruction in 1951 weakened the financial strength of the company, so that in May 1952, as a result of the deteriorating economic situation, a settlement was requested and the operation had to be closed with a workforce of over 700 employees. The few models of the former production were preferably produced in a two-tone paint and sold for a then quite high price of initially 7,500.00 DM and later 6,950.00 DM. The beautiful 1:87 model with the arched, elongated tail and the fine ornamental print is also available in a single color and a chic two-tone paint.