A recent windtunnel surprise, Volkhart V2 Sagitta

[botsapper]

A German engineer K.C. Volkhart build, V2 Sagitta, was a rare aero-body built on top of the Volkswagen KdF-Wagen Type 60, Beetle. Two were eventually built, based on the work by famous German aerodynamicist Reinhard von Koenig-Fachsenfeld. It was initially designed to be a reliable & fast postal delivery/courier car for the Luftwaffe in WW2 but was only realized post-war with the funding from industrialist Sagitta. The clean body design (very similar to the dreams; Porsche 114 and Porsche 64) allowed a 1.1 liter 24.5 hp boxer engine to top speeds over 140 km/h or 87 mph! The recently measured body had a low drag coefficient 0.21 and a respectable 2.1 frontal area. Two times more aerodynamic than its base car and very close to it's contemporary family stablemate, the soon-to-be-available VW XL 1!!! 1947 VW Beetle-Based V2 Sagitta is More Aerodynamic than New Golf, Mercedes CLA! - Carscoops

1947-Volkhart-V2-Sagitta-4%5B2%5D.jpg (image)

1947-Volkhart-V2-Sagitta-2%5B2%5D.jpg (image)

1947-Volkhart-V2-Sagitta-3%5B3%5D.jpg (image)

1947-Volkhart-V2-Sagitta-1%5B2%5D.jpg (image)

http://static.autojunk.nl/pictures/2...6/image_05.jpg

http://static.autojunk.nl/pictures/2...6/image_02.jpg

http://static.autojunk.nl/pictures/2...6/image_03.jpg

http://www.history-of-cars.com/image...sagitta-15.jpg

http://www.history-of-cars.com/image...sagitta-18.jpg

http://www.supercars.net/gallery/119...41/1035978.jpg

Porsche's similar aero studies and shapes - precursors to the Porsche 356;

Type 114. Ferdinand did start with mid-engine layout! http://www.thebestporsche.com/news.php?extend.29

Type 64. Should have stayed with the engine midship. http://www.smcars.net/forums/attachm...yp-64-2700.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dr-S44ODM9s

[botsapper]

...dang it, a new favorite (except for those fender mirrors)

[kach22i]

1947 beats 1951, below comparing it to several Porsche 356 coupes.

3-cars-similar_zps69f8db5f.jpg Photo by kach22i | Photobucket

[botsapper]

Not too late to make a Bug kit with these beautiful lines?...or even a tired 914? Come on hot rodders, crossover to serious ecomodding!

[Sven7]

Throw in a D15Z1!

Or better yet, the tried and true STi swap.

[some_other_dave]

It's also reminiscent of the Porsche 60K10, a road rally car based on the KdFWagen (the early version of the Bug)









It was designed for a Berlin-Rome rally which was cancelled by the outbreak of the war.

-soD

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by some_other_dave

It's also reminiscent of the Porsche 60K10

1939, and even closer to the 1947 sample first posted.

More information here:
PORSCHE TYPE 60K10

Two of Dr. Ferdinand Porsche's goals were to build an economical car for the masses and to build a sports car. The Volkswagen Type 1 (a.k.a. Kdf-Wagen) fulfilled the first goal and provided the means to realize the second - the little-known Type 60K10, which would be the basis for the postwar 1948 Porsche 356/2 coupe and the start of the Porsche sports car line.

[niky]

I... I... I think I'm in love...

[NHB]

That car doesn't have engine cooling or cabin ventilation. Tyres are super skinny. Those modifications have big effect on aerodymic drag.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by NHB

That car doesn't have engine cooling or cabin ventilation.

Please quote the source of your information.

From what I can see, all 3-4 cars mentioned are air-cooled and have inlets at the rear.

Porsche 356's have cabin ventilation, although as with the later 911 it's not very good.

Concorso D'Eleganza Villa D'Este 2012, Class C


The Volkhart V2 Sagitta (1947) has inlets at the front, could be for the cabin ventilation, front brake cooling, horn, or a front mounted oil cooler, I do not know for sure but if I were to guess it would be cabin ventilation (actually looks like a fan). Cracking a window open I suppose would be an option.

Link to front end detail:
Flickriver: Fine Cars's photos tagged with koenigfachsenfeld