This is a unique car that has no other surviving examples. During World War II, most prototypes were destroyed due to the acute shortage of materials, but chassis number 26 survived. After traveling about 56,000 kilometers, it was discovered in the 1970s under a Volkswagen Beetle in Austria. After changing hands among several classic car enthusiasts, the chassis came into the possession of Traugot Grundmann in 2003. He began its gradual restoration, drawing on his previous experience restoring a 1938 Porsche. Today, the car is displayed alongside a 1938 model in Grundmann's collection, which also includes cars from the 1950s. Grundmann has also written a book documenting the restoration process of the W-30 model, featuring numerous original photographs and documents. Thus, chassis number 26 has become a living testament to the history of one of the world's most famous small cars. He said, "This is driving in its finest form… but it's a bit noisy." The German Technical Inspection Authority (TÜV) has certified that the car is safe up to 100 km/h, but Grundmann notes that it is difficult to control at speeds over 80 km/h due to its small size and cramped interior, which is sized for the dimensions of people from previous generations. A TÜV Nord expert considers this car, number 26, to be the oldest of the thirty W-30 models that Ferdinand Porsche designed for driving tests before the official launch of the Volkswagen Beetle series. Although most of its original components are lost, it remains the oldest surviving Volkswagen Beetle model, having survived the aftermath of World War II and embarked on a long journey lasting decades. The car, owned by car enthusiast Traugot Grundmann, is now on display in his home in the German state of Lower Saxony. It is a prototype of the W-30 model, which began production in 1937, and is the direct predecessor of the famous Volkswagen Beetle. Grundmann drives the car with a rear-mounted, air-cooled 23-horsepower engine and confirms that it offers a unique driving experience that takes the driver back to the "fundamentals of cars".
