Thursday, June 8, 2023

German Small Car Postcard collection







Despite Germany having a reputation for engineering excellence, prewar automobile production was slow and expensive. Mass production techniques were virtually unused until they were introduced by American affiliates GM Opel and German Ford in the mid-1930s. Before that time, the high cost of quality engineering and manufacture meant that cars were well outside the price range of anyone except the wealthy and upper middle-class. Several companies attempted to develop small, budget cars for the bottom end of the market but these were often short-lived and poor quality. Some, such as the Hanomag Bug would pave the way for the future concept of the Volkswagen.

This set of postcards is part of a larger collection published in 1972.

1. 1898 Benz Velo


2. Wanderer Puppchen


3. Hataz 4/12 PS


4. Grade F1


https://heinkelscooter.blogspot.com/2023/06/making-grade-1924-grade-f1.html

5. Opel 4/14 PS


6. Hanomag 2/10 PS


7. Pluto 4/20 PS


8. Stoewer V5 Front


More about Stoewer: https://tatrat600.blogspot.com/2021/10/1935-stoewer-greif-junior-tatra-under.html

9. Framo Piccolo


More about Framo: https://dkwautounionproject.blogspot.com/2020/06/framo-index.html



Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride 2023 Photos


The Distinguished Gentlemen's charity ride was held around the world on Sunday 21st May 2023. There was a ride in Perth from Wireless Hill in Applecross and members of my club, the KBG, decided to attend. Here are a few photos from our pre-ride coffee meet.

A stunning BMW with original German Steib sidecar.

Steib!

Durkopp Diana scooter

Lambretta LD and my DKW RT250-H

BMW

IWL Berlin scooter from East Germany

Some dapper gents and ladies gather around the machinery

The IWL is a beautiful machine. Behind is a Jawa 350 from Czechoslovakia

Jawas were a popular export around the world. 

IWL Berlin. This is the predecessor model to my IWL Troll. It is powered by the same 149cc MZ motorcycle engine.

I opted to drink my coffee and bid the team adieu.

And out on the road. Peter on his BMW

Dusan on his Jawa

Richard on the Durkopp with Jon on another BMW

Jim is loving the Berlin

Lenny in the BMW outfit.