A Bulli from Opel - only much earlier
 
Recently, photos and a data sheet of a completely unknown Opel Blitz have surfaced: Already in the mid-1930s, Opel built a Blitz prototype in front-wheel-drive design. On the data sheet we have it is called '1 Ton 1.5 L Panel Van'. On the backs of the photos, 1.5-23 COE is noted. The abbreviation COE stands for 'Cab Over Engine'. Two different versions of the van were apparently planned: a one-tonner with a four-cylinder and 1.5-tonner with a six-cylinder. For unknown reasons, the project was not realised. Technical drawings, photos and other documents? Missing - until now!  
 
The resemblance to a VW Bulli is striking, although the Opel was of course equipped with a water-cooled four-cylinder in the front. Heinrich Nordhoff was in Opel's management from 1929 to 1945, from 1940 even as a member of the board. It is therefore very likely that he had knowledge of the Opel Blitz 1.5-23 COE. Nordhoff left Opel in December 1945, and on 1 January 1948 he became general manager at Volkswagen. Shortly afterwards, the Wolfsburg company created the first prototype of the VW Transporter ("Type 2"). Coincidence? The evil of it all...