1954 Fuldamobil NWF 200

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

This 1966 Skoda Octavia came from Tasmania and has never been restored. It is still used as a daily driver.

Despite being a utility vehicle, the Land Rover is a real crowd pleaser. Owner Peter was fielding questions from people all day.

KBG member Giles was displaying his Fiat with the Fiat Lancia Club

Fiat Lancia Club have been a regular at the show since its beginning

KGB member Trevor had his Vauxhall Velox with the Vauxhall Club.

Austin Six

Austin Six and Standard

1947 Vauxhall

A very rare French car, the Simca Aronde. This recently restored car is now for sale.

Renault Club - Renault 750 and Renault 8

Renault 8 and Renault Gordini

Citroen Traction Avant and Citroen GS

Volvo 1800

The Motor Museum display - 1937 Oldsmobile

Motor Museum - Leyland P76 Force coupe

Motor Museum's Holden 48/215

A mixed bag

Mercedes-Benz -Unimog

1959 Ford Zephyr

Austin Seven

Replica 1936 Mercedes-Benz SS

Aston-Martin DB6 Mark 2

The DB6 is a very handsome car

1949 Cadillac

Rover

Charger Club

What do you get if you really love the Holden 48/215? A matching pair!

A pair of Studebakers

The King Fram sets off!

Check out the Como Rotary Club Car Show page http://comorotary.org/como-rotary-car-show/

Classic Car Show 2021 - https://heinkelscooter.blogspot.com/2021/04/shannons-classic-car-show-sunday-18th.html

1934 Hansa 400

HANSA 400 - The Car for the Millions

30 years of tradition in automobile construction brings with it a significant amount of experience. The HANSA 400 is based on these decades of experience.

It is hard to believe that a comfortable, well-equipped four-seater car for RM. 1650 is now available. Remember, however, that design ingenuity combined with high-quality construction is inexpensive because the HANSA 400 is not a car for the few, but a quality-assured series production car for everyone to enjoy.

HANSA 400 builds on Tradition

The spacious, four-seater "HANSA 400" streamlined limousine, which is available in many colors, has all the comfort that the automobile enthusiast would not want to do without - odometer, electric windshield wipers, large dimmable headlights, and the spare wheel with tires is not forgotten, hidden away in a dust-proof, hidden storage locker.

How comfortable and safe you will feel behind the steering wheel of this car, which accelerates easily, reaching a top speed of 70 km, making even the longest journey enjoyable.

Thanks to the four side windows, of which the large, wide door windows can be cranked and ensure draft-free ventilation, all passengers have a clear field of vision.

Are you interested in the motor? It is revealed in a snap!

The flexible two-cylinder two-stroke engine gives the car pulling power, acceleration and endurance. Water cooling, with its dangers, has been replaced by the modern and always reliable air cooling. The arrangement of the engine with the gearbox and clutch in the rear of the car avoids the power consuming and vibration generating cardan shaft and makes the interior of the car free of disturbing noises. By confining all the drive unit component in the rear, the center of gravity of the car has been set so low that, in conjunction with front and rear pivoting axles and independent suspension, the ideal driving performance that characterize the HANSA 400 are achieved.

A class IV or class L driving license, which can be obtained at no great cost, is sufficient to drive this car. All in all, the HANSA 400 as a car for the family, the businessman and the sportsman, is a big step towards the goal that we are striving for in the new Germany: an automobile for everyone! A free and no-obligation test drive will inspire and convince you. The car of the millions - the Hansa 400 - is YOUR car too.

This brochure is for the smaller engine version of the Hansa 500. https://heinkelscooter.blogspot.com/2021/07/1934-hansa-400.html

1934 Hansa 500

Hansa 500 - The car everyone wants

A 30-year tradition in automobile construction brings with it a great deal of experience. Based on these decades of experience, the "Hansa 500" was created. A comfortable, well-equipped four-seater for RM 1680 – so inexpensive because the "Hansa 500" is not a car for the few, but a high-quality-assured series-produced car for everyone to enjoy.

A spacious four-seater, the "Hansa 500" is available as a cabriolet limousine in many colors, offering all the comfort that no automobile enthusiast can or will want to do without today. Electric blinkers, electric horn and electric windshield wipers, with the horn button and indicator switch conveniently mounted on the centre of the steering wheel. Speedometer with odometer, large dimmable headlights and not to forget, the spare wheel and tires, stored in a dust-proof and invisible compartment. These are valuable features that will serve you well on every journey and bring you driving pleasure.

How comfortable and safe you feel behind the steering wheel of this car, which draws in your eye. With a top speed of 70 km per hour, even the longest drive is enjoyable. Through the side windows, from which the large, vent windows can be swivelled around to ensure draft-free ventilation, all passengers have a clear field of vision.

Are you interested in the engine? It is exposed with one hand! The flexible two-cylinder two-stroke engine gives the car traction, strength and endurance. Water cooling has been replaced by the modern and always reliable air cooling. The direct connection of the engine with the gearbox and drive unit placed at the rear, minimizes power loss through the cardan shaft and frees the inside of the car from disturbances and noise. By relocating all drive units to the rear, it has been possible to set the centre of gravity of the car low so that, in conjunction with the four when independent wheel suspension, the ideal driving characteristics that characterize the "Hansa 500" are achieved. All in all, the "Hansa 500" is a car for the family, for the businessman and for the sportsman and is a big step towards the goal that we are striving for in the new Germany: a car for everyone.

A free and non-binding test drive will inspire and convince you.

More joy in life with Hansa!

The 'people's car' concept was pursued by dozens of companies and engineers in Germany during the late 1920s and early 30s. Thanks to the promotional efforts of Dutch author, Paul Schilperoord, Josef Ganz' work in this sphere has been elevated above those of other pioneering and talented engineers. Ganz' Standard Superior of 1933 is now presented as the precursor and inspiration of the Volkswagen Beetle. Superficially, the Standard Superior looks similar to the later Volkswagen, but that does not mean anything. Interestingly, another rear engined 'people's car' also went on sale in 1933, but that car is never proposed as a Volkswagen precursor, despite it being virtually identical to the Standard Superior in concept and layout. This was Carl Borgward's Hansa 500.

Carl Borgward was a pioneering auto engineer from Hamburg, Germany. He started manufacturing exhausts, radiators and fittings. In the late 1920s he developed a simple motorized cart for use within his factory. The Blitzkarren 'fast cart' was never intended for public sale, but Borgward received so many requests from other industrialists that he decided to build a version for public sale. It would become an overnight success. In 1931 Borgward introduced a new three-wheeled passenger car based on the delivery cart called the Pionier (Pioneer). Demand for cheap motoring was such that more than 4000 Pioneers were sold.

The success of the Goliath Pioneer and commercial tricycles allowed Borgward to weather the depression years and he capitalized on the harsh economic times to pick up the bankrupt Hansa company. Hansa had a reputation as a quality automotive concern but their heavy and expensive cars found no market in the early 1930s. Borgward tasked the engineers at Hansa to develop a cheap, modern car based on the Pioneer. The result was the Hansa 500.

Apart from the obvious addition of a fourth wheel, the Hansa 500 was very similar to the Pioneer. The car had a simple ladder chassis, but rigidity was provided by a steel floor. A two cylinder, air-cooled two-stroke engine of 400 or 500cc was mounted far in the rear. A flywheel mounted fan blew cooling air across the cooling fins of the engine. The car had independent suspension on all four wheels, which gave it excellent handling. Unlike the Standard Superior with its very spartan fittings, the Hansa 500 was noted for the quality of its fittings. This helped make the Hansa a better selling car than the Standard Superior.

Like the Standard Superior, the Hansa 500 was only on sale for a few years. By 1935 Germany's economy had recovered and the demand for 'kleinstwagens' (very small cars) had evaporated. Hansa replaced the 500 with bigger and better cars like the 1100 and 1700. Hansa would continue building cars until the 1938 Schell Plan rationalized the German motoring industry. Carl Borgward's group of companies - Goliath, Hansa and Borgward - were directed to cease civilian car production and concentrate on trucks and commercials.


The story of the Standard Superior - https://heinkelscooter.blogspot.com/2015/07/standard-superior.html

The Goliath Pionier - https://heinkelscooter.blogspot.com/2012/05/goliath-pionier.html

Smaller engine version, the Hansa 400, is here - https://heinkelscooter.blogspot.com/2021/10/1934-hansa-400.html