Six decades ago, an enterprising mechanic turned a Volkswagen Microbus half way. Known as the “Half-track Fox”, the unique van has just arrived after being completely restored to once again traverse the mountainous terrain.
Half-track Fox was built in May 1962 at VW’s factory in Hannover, Germany. It was entrusted to Viennese VW mechanic Kurt Kretzner, who quickly converted it into something more suited to Alpine trails.
Kretzner wanted a van with good off-road capabilities that was still easy to drive, according to VW. Unable to find a car that met those requirements, he decided to build his own.
Volkswagen Half-track Fox
Despite being a real half-track, the Fox is somewhat different from many of the mass-produced versions, most commonly used by Allied and Axis armies during World War II. Where these cars have a regular set of wheels at the front and a set of tank-like wheels at the rear, the Half-track Fox has four axles – each with its own set of wheels.
The two front wheels have dual wheels with 14-inch tires, which can both be steered. The rear 13-inch wheels are linked by rails made from aluminum and rubber blocks. Kretzner chose this arrangement because with a conventional front-wheel drive, it is easier to control than a car with a full track, according to VW. The 32.8-foot spin almost allows the car to spin within its own length, the automaker notes.
Power is provided by a 1.1-liter 4-stroke engine, producing only 33 horsepower. That limits the top speed to 22 mph, which VW notes is a bit slower than an actual fox.
Volkswagen Half-track Fox
Kretzner seems to have planned to put this unusual car into production, even publishing sales brochures. Two more are believed to have been built before 1968, but their whereabouts are unknown.
Half-track Fox held a low profile before being sold by the Porsche Museum in Gmünd, Austria (not to be confused with the official Porsche museum in Zuffenhausen, Germany), and then sold to Bullkartei eV – a group of enthusiasts love Microbus. In 2005, the group began a restoration that was never completed. The Fox Half-track was subsequently sold to VW in 2018 and is now part of the legacy collection of its commercial vehicle division.
The Half-track Fox has been restored to the public in time for the electric car’s launch in Europe VW ID. Buzz. Scheduled to arrive in the US in 2023 as a 2024 model, the ID.Buzz is inspired by the original Microbus and will also be built in Hannover. It can also look pretty cool as a half track.
