John Smith and the SA Hebmuller

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Pine
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John Smith and the SA Hebmuller

Post by Pine »

A lot have been said about the only Hebmuller ever in South Africa, but I have been contacted by a German VW historian who is doing some research on it. He is trying to get hold of John Smith (founder of Volkspares) who used to own it here in SA. The brief history so far:

- Originally owned by a German who emigrated from Berlin to SA in 1958, and brought the Heb here with him
- Bought by John Smith of Volkspares in the 70's for restoration
- Was involved in an accident, front end replaced with split Beetle clip (hence the crotch coolers)
- Went to the US in 1994 for a year with John Smith, returned to SA again (it was green and white at the time)
- Had an Okrasa engine
- Seen at Cars in The Park, Pretoria, in 2003 when the pic below was taken by myself - painted two shades of brown
- Exported to the UK shortly afterwards, featured on the cover of Volksworld with Sprintstars

Does anyone perhaps have the contact details (address, tel no, e-mail etc.) for John Smith, I believe he is currently staying on the Natal South Coast?

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Pine
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Re: John Smith and the SA Hebmuller

Post by Pine »

This pic of the Heb was taken during it's 'holiday' in the States

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Re: John Smith and the SA Hebmuller

Post by forcecooled »

Surely Garrin or Joe Katic of Volkspares know where the Smiths are?
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Re: John Smith and the SA Hebmuller

Post by karmakoma »

Thanks for sharing the history Pine. I always wondered if S.A. really did have a Heb, but sad to hear it was exported.
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Re: John Smith and the SA Hebmuller

Post by calooker »

He is not easy to get hold of had a buddy looking for him for several months and managed to corner him at the last Piston ring swap meet, he allways comes up for those with a trailer load of good bits.
For what it's worth, ignorance has no limits ......
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Re: John Smith and the SA Hebmuller

Post by Dawie »

Image
Dont know where John is, But here is another picture of the Hebmueller,while it was still green.(Think late eighties).
Staying Aircooled is so much nicer.
Do'nt assume anything- (While doing fault-finding).
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Re: John Smith and the SA Hebmuller

Post by beesbal »

wonder for how many moola it was sold and exported?
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Re: John Smith and the SA Hebmuller

Post by Tom Bishop »

My dad recalls a border in his grand mothers house owning a Black and Yellow Heb 1958/9. This was in Maitland, Cape Town.
Last edited by Tom Bishop on Tue Mar 03, 2009 4:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: John Smith and the SA Hebmuller

Post by splitfan »

I know that Heb well had a spin in it once , used to stand at Johns place in Pomona the car also did not have the original pan still sad to see it "go" not that i ever had the $ to buy it. :(
My biggest fear is that my wife sells my cars for what i told her they cost !!
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Re: John Smith and the SA Hebmuller

Post by splitfan »

Ja Pine John now stays in Margate (if hes not in the states) i dont have he's number but heres the number for hes business partner/manager he's name is Alan 0794938658
My biggest fear is that my wife sells my cars for what i told her they cost !!
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Re: John Smith and the SA Hebmuller

Post by eben »

In NINOVE - 19 MAART 2006:
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Re: John Smith and the SA Hebmuller

Post by Blitzkrieg »

The Rossies look so cool on the Heb. Proudly South African :)
If it's too low, you're too old :twisted:
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Re: John Smith and the SA Hebmuller

Post by lowlight »

Saw the green heb few years back in Pmb at cars in the park
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Re: John Smith and the SA Hebmuller

Post by jmvv »

I took these pictures at a Bugfest held at Nasrec in 1985/6
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Re: John Smith and the SA Hebmuller

Post by Blitzkrieg »

Thanks for the pics!

Why can't we have shows like that again! The closest that we have these days is Ferdies Swop meet!
If it's too low, you're too old :twisted:
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