Heinkel Scooter Project: Rotary Club of Como Car Show 2021

Tuesday, October 5, 2021

Rotary Club of Como Car Show 2021

It's hard to believe it's been ten years since I went along to the first Rotary Club of Como Car Show. I saw the show advertised in a local newsletter and attended on my own, having only recently acquired my DKW. It was a relatively small event with maybe 150 cars in attendance, but there was a pleasant and relaxed feeling about the show that has continued to this day. The next year I recommended it to the car club I was a member of and over the next few years it became a feature event in our calendar. I don't think I have missed a show in the ten years.

This was the first car show I've attended since the Classic Car Show in March 2021. I have to admit I was pretty much burnt out and disillusioned with the car scene after organizing the Car Show for the last five years. I needed to step away from the clubs, the politics and just general scene for a while. There were also family matters that needed attention with elderly relatives needing care, which took precedence and a lot of time. The weather was also pretty terrible over the last six months so there wasn't too much to miss in the car scene.

So for me, the Rotary Club of Como Car Show was a great event to mark a return to the scene. My club, the KBG, fielded a small display comprising a 1966 Skoda Octavia, my 1959 DKW F94, a 1958 King Fram and a 1975 Land Rover Mark 1.

The Swedish built King Fram Fulda is an extraordinary vehicle and drew a lot of attention at the show. As owner Richard describes it, the King Fram Fulda is possibly the second worst automobile ever made - the worst is still the Australian Lightburn Zeta https://heinkelscooter.blogspot.com/2021/04/lightburn-zeta-australias-trabant.html

Richard kindly allowed me to hop in the King Fram to experience just how badly designed it is. I'm only 5 foot seven and it was a struggle for me to squeeze in. Richard is a strapping six footer! The King Fram was a license built version of the German Fuldamobil, but with a streamlined fibreglass body. The car is powered by a Sachs 200cc single cylinder two-stroke motor, identical to that used in the Messerschmitt KR200. One major difference however is that the engine is mounted to the swing arm, not to the frame. Other features of the vehicle include extremely limited access to the engine and points, the steering and front suspension is poorly designed, and gear shifting is extremely vague!

Despite the King Fram's poor design and performance, it is a rather handsome vehicle, especially from the rear. I will have to write something more about this very interesting oddity. https://heinkelscooter.blogspot.com/2021/10/1954-fuldamobil-nwf-200.html