International Vintage Volkswagen Forums

Ivan Hirst – The forgotten father of VW - but not for long.

Dear all, as some of you know I helped organise the Ivan Hirst Memorial VW show this last September. One thing that came out of the show was how little of the VW story, especially its British Army roots are understood by the public.

So I am going to try and redress that with a few chosen articles on a web site devoted to the old boy.

I can build sites, I can write a few words but there are more knowledgeable people out there and I am throwing the invitation out there for experts and writers to submit posts about early (pre 1947) Volkswagen history – can anyone help?

Many thanks

Tim

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Hi Tim,

As much as I support all of this, the only thing I keep thinking of is that he's not really forgotten is he?

There are books about him, interviews, there's stuff in the REME museum, a memorial VW show - even one of the roads next the factory is named after him.

:d

but carry on, as you were :wink:

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But sir - we here are in the minority. Since the show two journalists have mailed me for info on the big man, there seems to be no central source, hence the new site... btw the new site.  (still needs a few tweaks...)

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Don't get me wrong, it's cool what you're doing... I just don't think of him as forgotten 😎

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We always will be though.:(

Most of the population are unaware that Dr Porsche was the main player in the Beetle's development - they think of him only of the sports car's name sake. Whereas everyone knows that Adolf Hitler was responsible.:evil:

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Tim

This part of the story has been covered before fairly comprehensively by Simon Parkinson in his book "Volkswagen Beetle - The Rise from the Ashes of War".

It would certainly be worth you borrowing or obtaining a copy of this book as it's a great reference title and by all accounts very accurate.

It's no longer in print but a quick Amazon search found an ex libary copy for £8 which is a bargain...see link below:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/1874105472/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used 

Good luck!
Martin

Thanks for the link! Bought the book and I'll use it for a reference and I'll give Simon a ring and see if he'd like to help out on the project.

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No2 essential book you should get:

The British and their works
The Volkswagenwerk and the occupying power 1945-1949
by Marcus Lupa
ISBN 3-935112-05-x

Historical Notes
A series of publications from the Volkswagen AG, Corporate Archives Wolfsburg.

Rod Sleigh at VW Books has this, and also I just noticed on his website there is also a book purely on Ivan Hirst.

vw books 

I am sure you have met Rod? he is a quiet knowledge of all things pre50 and usually carries all of the hard to source vw books, so maybe worth a phone call? as you could run a link to his site for further reading/book availability.

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I agree. Similarly most of the population have no idea Porsche built tractors ( not good tractors compared to the competition but definitely pretty looking :lol: )

I think the website is a good idea though as nowadays thats the first place everyone looks for info on anything 😞 (how sad we humans are becoming?)

Your Website looks great too! like the colours/style :d

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Having been a friend of Ivan Hirst's in the late 1980's and early 90's, and having benefited greatly from his friendship I feel I owe it to the man - hence why I want to crowd source the information and get it right.

Again any help will be taken with my thanks!

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We all perhaps should remember that without Ivan Hurst and of course Porsche we may not have our hobby.

Great if you can get him known more - but an uphill battle. Most of us are behind you though I'd say8)

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(eek yippee! Rattletrap's back  )

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Why, thank you MrsHerbie :d

I'm not too sure how Rob feels about it though…:roll:

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