A very rare WW II car hauler

Thanks for pictures. Interesting subject.

Love that split window VW.

Intrigued by the light colour of the Beetle photographed, and its generally modern look, I went back to an article I'd edited and saved in Pdf. which contained the following photograph and subtitle - though no further information existed in the text, and sadly I do not have a link to the original article except for the copy credits given.    I note that the rail wagon in Christopher's photo' bears the marking "Stuttgart"

Returning to my Pdf, I read that.. " After the Volkswagen V3, or KdF-Wagen, was prepared for production, a series of prototypes tagged V30 was next. Though closer still to the eventual Beetle, they lacked a rear window, as had the V3s ". So these V30s, tested by SS officers are not the car in Christopher's original photograph.

Volkswagen V30 Beetle prototypes underwent testing by SS officers stationed near Stuttgart, Germany. 

Neither of these early Beetle concepts, the Volkswagen V30 (left) and the Volkswagen V3 (right) had a rear window. Their "Beetle" form is obvious.
 - The Auto Editors of Consumer Guide -  2007 PUBLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, LTD

What a great old photo Chris and even better, the modeler's recreation! It could easily pass for real. 

Great post Chris. The modelers work is outstanding.

@charles-rockett Wow, the plot thickens. Glad you salvaged something from what appeared to have been an interesting article about the history of VW.  Nice info & pics Charles, thanks.

Cool train car load!!!  DR (Deutsche Reichsbahn) actually lasted until 1949.  So i wonder if this photo is post-war? Especially with regard to the light paint (versus the olive drab during wartime?)?  

Some history:  https://www.volkswagen-newsroom.com/en/stories/volkswagen-and-its-british-roots-5423

https://www.volkswagen-group.com/en/volkswagen-chronicle-17351/1945-to-1949-the-work-of-the-british-17355

@karl Outstanding back-stories & history.  I vaguely remember reading about that British connection.  And yes, I'm assuming that train photo was during WW II, but I honestly don't know.