The M14201 Type 82 Kübelwagen is an iconic German light off-road vehicle of World War II, designed by Ferdinand Porsche based on the famous Volkswagen Beetle.
Its name "Kübelwagen" literally means "pelvic car", derived from the shape of its open body without doors, with sides resembling a pelvis. Thanks to its light weight, reliable air-cooled engine (which worked well in various climates) and excellent cross-country ability (thanks to its high ground clearance, wheel reduction gears and rear-wheel drive), the Kübelwagen became the "workhorse" of the Wehrmacht. It was used for a wide range of tasks: as a command vehicle, reconnaissance vehicle, personnel transport and light cargo transport. Despite the lack of all-wheel drive, its design and lightness allowed it to overcome off-road conditions no worse than its four-wheel drive counterparts, and its ease of maintenance and maintainability made it extremely popular and indispensable on all fronts.
