2 replies to this topic

[Stefan Ornerdal]

Hi everybody.
I have just read in a swedish book that Ben Pon from the Netherlands was the man behind the Volkswagen Typ 2 (Transporter, bus, pickup or whatever the car was called in your country). He made a sketchy drawing of the Transporter and made negotiations with the British Army 1947, and the Transporter was ready 1949.
Can't be "our" Ben Pon, the racingdriver? If so, he must have been very old when he entered Le Mans and other races in the sixties.



Stefan

[No27]

Think it is the same guy. Ben Pon was the Dutch importer of Volkswagen in the Netherlands. He did very good business: most of the policecars during the 50's, 60's and 70's were Beetles, besides, the Beetle was the bestselling car untill 1967 when the Opel Kaddet took over. He is a wealthy man and I think his contribution to the racing team was also a financial one.

[Kuwashima]

Indeed there were 2 Ben Pons, Sr and Jr. The father was the VW man, the son the sportscar pilot ond Olympian.

I know it's a plug, but you can read more on the Pons here.