Heritage Feature: Legendary "Old timers" of Europe - Part 1

Germany alone has over 50 world class auto museums, and that's without counting those managed by companies such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Last year 14 legendary German Museums combined to stage a Legends of Auto exhibit, where 16 "old timers" were displayed. This unique display brought together vehicles spanning more than 100 years. The oldest machine was a 1900 Lux Tonneau 2-cylinder car from the Dr Car Benz Museum. The youngest vehicle was a 1973 Wartburg 353 Knight Mk 4.

Brian Tanner went along to view this unique collection and despite all information on the vehicles being written in German - of which his skills are nil! - he compiled this report.

1926 Hanomag 2/10 PS "Kommissbrot"
The Hanomag 2/10 PS - a bit like the car that Noddy was depicted as driving in the Enid Blighton classics - was a small, economy car manufactured by Hanomag between 1924 - 1928. This little beauty - in magnificent condition - has the guard integrated into the body of the car, allowing a wider passenger space than if more traditional style guards had been used. There was seating for two, perhaps three in a crush, and luggage could be stored on the rear of the body. The compact drivetrain allowed the floor to be lower, making it possible to enter the car from the ground without a running board. The rounded styling of the car, caused the Germans to nickname the car 'Kommissbrot' after cheap, flat sided loaves of bread used by the military. I'm not sure what the connection is, but that's what local folklore says.

Officially the Hanomag 2/10 PS was designated as a coupe roadster. It was powered by a 502cc, OHV single cylinder engine, with a manual 3-speed gearbox. Despite a short production life, it proved popular with 15,775 produced between 1924-1929. Perhaps these numbers were boosted by the fact that the car was also used as a taxi in Berlin. The motor was in the rear, with drive going to the rear wheels. The axle did not have a differential, with the gearbox in one block with the motor. The Hanomag 2/10 PS had a 1920mm wheelbase, and dimensions of 2780mm (length) x 1180mm (width) x 1600mm (height). It had a single front light, collapsible canvas top, spoked wheels and the rear suspension boasted coil springs.

1953 Goliath GD Dreirad 750
An obscure law in 1928 that a vehicle with fewer than four wheels and an engine capacity less than 350cc could be driven without a licence, lead Goliath-Werke Borgward & Co. to manufacture this unusual three wheeler in 1953. Built between 1949 -1955 this three wheeled truck was powered by a 2 cylinder 396cc (this varied from time to time) two stroke engine. It had a four speed transmission, with drive to the rear axle. It boasted a top speed of 50 km/h, with a 465cc engine that could be driven to a maximum speed of 55 km/h. The car has a triangular U-profile frame, with the front wheel located on a swing arm. The rear wheels were attached to a rigid axle. The GD 750 was available as a drop side or box, with other special bodies also available. Heating and hydraulic brakes were optional extras.

Messerschmitt "Tiger"
The Messerschmitt Tg500 was built by German truck manufacturer Krupp. While it might have been patented to a truck company it didn't top the diminutive two-seater from becoming a microcar legend. Unusually for a microcar, the Tg500 had four wheels, which gave it improved stability over its three wheeled competition. The Tg500 was powered by a 493cc Sach air cooled two-cylinder engine, which provided it with a top speed of 121 km/h - a speed that was faster than many sedans of the same era. It could achieve 0-100km/h in 18.7 seconds. Stopping was equally impressive, thanks to hydraulic brakes. It also featured improved steering and suspension set up over its predecessor, the KR200. The individual tandem seating layout and handlebars remained. A low-roof coupe version of the Tiger was also available, and became the most collectable variant. Despite its cult status and enthusiastic following, few were built and sales were also slow. It is estimated that as few as 450 examples of the car left the factory between 1958-1964.

1973 Wartburg 353
The Wartburg 353 was a very successful Eastern European car, that actually saw four generations of evolution. The vehicle pictured is a first generation 1966-1975 model. The Wartburg 353 was the creation of the former German BMW production facilities, based on a 1938 BMW chassis and powertrain. It was in production for 23 years, becoming the longest produced Wartburg model ever. It was available as a 4 and 5 door saloon as well as a pick up. Power was by a 991cc three cylinder two-stroke engine, mated to a four speed manual transmission. It produced 34kW of power and had a top speed of 118km/h. It could reach 0-100km/h in a lengthy 22.8 seconds. The 353 proved to be very economical and easy to repair, as all the panels were bolted on. The car had a habit of belching black smoke and emission laws saw its rapid demise in the seventies.

1931 Rohr 8 Type RA
The Rohr motor company was short lived between the years 1928 and 1935. H.G. Rohr was a famous WWI fighter pilot and aero engine designer. In the early 1920s he modified existing cars to incorporate such advanced ideas as independent front and rear suspension and in 1925 opened a small factory where he planned to built a 6-cylinder sedan. Pictured is a 1931 8-cylinder, 2.5-litre sedan. It was independently sprung, had a worm axle and Lockheed brakes.

1900 Lux Tonneau
The Lux Tonneau was manufactured in 1900. It has a 2-cylinder contra engine with1900cc, 9hp. It was built by Friedrich Lux in Ludwigshafen. In 1903 the company stopped building cars.

Adler standard 8 limo
One of Germany's most respected brands, Adler had its origins in the bicycle business, before progressing on to tricycles, and the importation of the French built Clement-Bayard in 1904. The company rapidly expanded to built a range of cars, trucks, transmissions for tanks and aero engines under licence from Benz. Adler's first straight 8 appeared in 1928, powered by a 3.9-litre side valve engine. The standard limo was designed for well heeled families and business men. The 1930s also saw the introduction of the front-wheel drive Trumpf and Trumpf-Junior models. After WWII automobile manufacture was not resumed, but motorcycle production did in 1949 and continued for 8 years. Their designs were taken by BSA in Britain. The company became associated with Triumph, but was finally taken over in 1957 by Olivetti.

1958 Zundapp Janus 250
Zundapp was essentially a motorbike manufacturer, but from time to time built cars when the bike business was slack. The Janus 250 was a microcar built from 1956 under licence from its designer, the aircraft manufacturer Dornier. With doors at the front and back it was powered by a 248cc single cylinder two stroke engine. It was only built until 1958.

1967 Glas 2600 V8
Hans Glas is best known for building the Goggomobil microcar, so the Glas 2600 V8 comes as a bit of a surprise. Nicknamed the "Glaserati" as he pitched it up against Aston Martins, thanks to its sharp Italian styling and performance. It has a semi fastback appearance and unusual frontal styling. The interior was adorned with wood and leather.

1939 Stoewer Arkona
The Stoewer auto company manufactured cars between 1908 and 1940. The company was founded by two Stoewer brothers in 1899. Early successes were the Stoewer G4 (1908), the D-Types of the mid-20s with four and six cylinders. In 1928 the company started to build S8 and G14 models with 8-cylinders. At the beginning of the 1930s they delivered the G15, M12 and P20, each with V8s and 130 km/h maximum speed. The last civilian Stoewer cars produced were the Arkona and the Sedina. They looked the same but the Arkona had a bigger 3.5-litre 6-cylinder engine. Just 210 were built before WWII state imposed production brought production to a close.

1937 Wanderer W45L
Wanderer was founded in 1896 and merged into Auto Union in 1945. Their first six cylinder model appeared in 1928, with capacity said to be 20 cars a day. Wanderer catered for the middle class segment of Auto Unions range with four and six cylinder saloons and sports. The W class Wanderer W245 arrived in 1935, and the W45 in 1936. It was produced for 2 years and was powered by a 6-cylinder 4 stroke engine of 2257cc. It produced 40kW of power and had a maximum speed of 105 km/h. A W45 2 door convertible became available briefly in 1937. Car production ceased with the outbreak of WWII and the Wanderer name was not revived when Auto Union was re-established.

1939 Horch 930 V
Horch manufactured cars from the early 1900s until it was incorporated into Audi (along with Wanderer and DKW) in 1932. Following the merger, Horch continued to manufacture a new line of smaller and cheaper V8 cars. The 930 V was one of the last cars built by Horch in the period up to 1940 when passenger car production ceased. The 930 V was a 4.9-litre straight 8, that produced peak power of 74kW. It had a top speed of 140 km/h. It had all round independent suspension, with total production of the V8s for civilian markets of 11,730.

1931 Simson Supra "Type A"
The Simson S-Type sports car was introduced in 1924 and was an immediate sensation. The Supra with its 1950cc four cylinder engine had a top speed of 130km/h. It was widely acknowledged as the most advanced German design of its day. All subsequent models were called the Simson Supra, with the "Type A" introduced in 1931, powered by a 4.7-litre V8. Production of the Supra ceased in 1932.