Aircooled VW South Africa

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?

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

Surely Garrin or Joe Katic of Volkspares know where the Smiths are?

Thanks for sharing the history Pine. I always wondered if S.A. really did have a Heb, but sad to hear it was exported.

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.

Dont know where John is, But here is another picture of the Hebmueller,while it was still green.(Think late eighties).

wonder for how many moola it was sold and exported?

My dad recalls a border in his grand mothers house owning a Black and Yellow Heb 1958/9. This was in Maitland, Cape Town.

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.

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

In NINOVE - 19 MAART 2006:

The Rossies look so cool on the Heb. Proudly South African

Saw the green heb few years back in Pmb at cars in the park

I took these pictures at a Bugfest held at Nasrec in 1985/6

Thanks for the pics!

Why can't we have shows like that again! The closest that we have these days is Ferdies Swop meet!