After embarking on the construction of the Autobahn motorway in 1933, development of a "people's car — Volkswagen" was declared at the following year's Berlin motor show. The "People's Car" project was immediately carried out and in February 1936, Dr. Ferdinand Porsche presented his first prototype, which was the very root of the fabulous Volkswagen Beetle. However, with the outbreak of World War 2, all manufacturing of the Volkswagen was immediately turned to military production.

In January 1938 the German Defense Forces presented specifications for a military version of this practical vehicle. In November of the same year a prototype was completed and officially designated the Pkw. K1 "Kubelwagen" Type 82. The vehicle used a light but sturdy monocoque construction with a foldable canvas top. The rear-mounted, air-cooled 4-cylinder engine had a displacement of 985cc and an output of 23.5hp at 3,000rpm, propelling the car up to 80km/h. The four wheels were supported by a torsion bar suspension system. The Kubelwagen was initially deployed to Reconnaissance battalions. With its reliable engine and heavy-duty suspension, the Kubelwagen came to be used by every unit, from the scorching desert of Africa to the frozen Russian Eastern Front. About 51,000 Kubelwagens, including several variations, were rolled out from the factory by the end of WW2.

Paints recommended by Tamiya: TS-1 Red Brown, TS-2 Dark Green, TS-3 Dark Yellow, X-18 Semi-Gloss Black, XF-1 Flat Black, XF-10 Flat Brown, XF-15 Flat Flesh, XF-16 Flat Aluminium, XF-2 Flat White, XF-49 Flat Khaki, XF-52 Flat Earth, XF-56 Flat Metallic Grey, XF-60 Flat Dark Yellow, XF-61 Flat Dark Green, XF-64 Flat Red Brown, XF-65 Flat Field Grey, XF-66 Flat Light Grey.