This Enjoyable Little Microcar Had The Final Chassis Designed By An Absolute Legend

Are you acquainted with the Spatz (Bayerische Autowerke G.m.b.H. Nürnburg-Traunreut) microcar concern? What an insulting query, in fact you might be. My apologies. I used to be eager about Spatz as a result of some missionaries from the native Church of the Microcar confirmed up at my door yesterday night (in a King Midget) and wished to inform me the Good News about microcars. I informed them I used to be already a part of the Beth Microcar Reform Congregation Temple, however I’d be completely happy to hear, since all of us honor the identical microcars, simply in our personal distinctive methods.

I made Mai Tais for everybody and sat right down to take heed to them; they wished to share with me some esoteric information concerning the Spatz microcar. This is a automotive I’ve solely passing familiarity with, so I used to be curious.

They laid an previous brochure from 1957 on the espresso desk. It was fantastically illustrated, consistent with the requirements of the period, and confirmed on the quilt a Spatz microcar, improbably loaded with three individuals sitting abreast:

I’ve at all times questioned how believable it was that you just’d really cram three individuals in one among these 10 horsepower little fiberglass tubs. I imply, have a look at the seating and dimension of this factor from above:

Two individuals match superb in there, a bit cozy, but it surely appears cheap. Cramming one other grownup between them? Laps are being sat upon, at greatest. I do like that very Porsche 356-like engine lid grille, although.

Anyway, the missionaries have been telling me the story of the Spatz, the way it began as a three-wheel Brütsch microcar with its suspension mounted on to the fiberglass tub, which proved to be a catastrophe. Then, Harald Friedrich acquired the license to construct the automotive from Brütsch, however was unhappy with the insufficient, fiberglass-supported chassis design. So he reached out to somebody to design a brand new chassis.

But not simply any somebody; a legend. Hans Ledwinka.

Yes, that Hans Ledwinka, the person behind the legendary Tatras and the streamlined rear-engined Tatras, the person whom Ferdinand Porsche admitted to “looking over the shoulder” of when designing the Volkswagen, the pioneer of the central spine chassis nonetheless used on huge Tatra vehicles and different automobiles in the present day.

Even although he was 77 on the time, Ledwinka agreed to revamp the chassis, and what he got here up with was pure Ledwinka, simply very scaled down and simplified:

Backbone chassis, rear engine, unbiased suspension (appears to be like just a little VW like up entrance, even), and now a four-wheeler. An awesome, easy, well-designed and sturdy chassis from the thoughts of somebody who did this type of factor higher than nearly anybody.

When the missionaries revealed this, I used to be so shocked I did a robust Mai Tai-fueled spit take, soaking them each within the cocktail spray, leaving them dripping on the couch. One of the missionaries took off her glasses to wash the spatter off them, however in any other case no point out of the spit take was made. These have been well-trained missionaries.

I’ll admit, I used to be Spatz microcars in an entire new manner now. I had no concept underneath that fiberglass clamshell lurked the final chassis designed by a real automotive legend! This modifications the whole lot!

While I don’t assume I’ll be changing and becoming a member of the native Church of the Microcar, I feel I’ll share the Good News about Spatz at this week’s Microcar Shabbos service on the temple tonight.

And good Microcar Shabbos to all of you, no matter denomination of Microcar curiosity you follow!