429: The Story Behind a 1944 KdF-Wagen Type 82e with Alexander Soultanis

What does it take to restore one of the rarest and most historically significant Volkswagens ever built? In this episode of The Collector Car Podcast, Greg Stanley sits down with Alexander Soultanis to explore the remarkable story behind the restoration of a 1944 KdF-Wagen Type 82e—a fascinating vehicle that bridges the military Kübelwagen and the civilian Beetle during World War II. Alexander shares the car's incredible history, the painstaking research required to authenticate its originality, the challenges of sourcing nearly impossible-to-find components, and the delicate balance between preservation and restoration. Along the way, you'll gain insight into the origins of what would eventually become one of the world's most recognizable automobiles and why surviving examples like this are so important to automotive history. Whether you're a Volkswagen enthusiast, a restoration expert, or simply love uncovering the stories behind significant collector cars, this is an episode you won't want to miss. In this episode: The history of the 1944 KdF-Wagen Type 82e How the Type 82e connects the Kübelwagen and the Volkswagen Beetle The research behind an authentic restoration Finding rare, period-correct components Preserving history while bringing a vehicle back to life Why these cars matter in today's collector car market #CollectorCarPodcast #Volkswagen #KdFWagen #Type82e #VWBeetle #AutomotiveHistory #CarRestoration #ClassicCars #VintageVolkswagen #WWIIHistory #CollectorCars #AlexanderSoultanis #AutomotiveRestoration #HistoricVehicles #AirCooled ABOUT The Collector Car Podcast features expert interviews, great collections, and market insights. With 25+ years of experience, Greg helps enthusiasts navigate the collector car world with confidence. LISTEN Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-collector-car-podcast/id1460713022 Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Collector-Car-Podcast-Podcast/B08JJNDPB6 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d2066df3-7acc-4c84-af8d-c76d29989ccb/the-collector-car-podcast Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/the-collector-car-podcast/PC:26514 FOLLOW Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCollectorCarPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorcarpodcast/