Gebr. Märklin & Cie. GmbH (MÄRKLIN) was founded in 1859 by Theodor Friedrich Wilhelm Märklin and is based in Göppingen in Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. It originally specialized in doll house kitchen accessories, but after 1891 the sons of T.F.W. Märklin focused on tin toys and trains when they acquired the Firm of Ludwig Lutz. Although they were most famous for trains, they also produced some beautiful tinplate and diecast toys also. The VW toys were initially meant as accessory for the train sets.
Zinc diecast body with cut out windows and details of the front and rear hood, doors, headlights and taillights. Diecast base plate stamped “MÄRKLIN 9 Made in Germany” and metal rims with rubber tires clip onto the base plate. Registration number “IIIA 9” cast on rear license plate, on front bumper and “KdF” cast on rear bumper. There are 2 known bumper variations: one variation has the bumpers attached to the body with 2 narrow posts, causing the bumpers to break off easily from the body. Most probably MÄRKLIN thereafter decided to alter this by attaching the bumpers to the body in its full length. MÄRKLIN catalog number reference No. 5521/9. Also sold shortly during the Post War period with the “KdF” removed from the bumper. Over the years, the diecast metal becomes very brittle and can easily break with temperature change and handling.
