Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms An Unusual Sight

Hello,
the first picture shows the Dornier Delta. It was in a way the prototype for the Zündapp Janus. The problem with the Janus was the powerless 250ccm engine and her price. In the 50's could drive 250ccm cars and bikes with a driving license class 4 when licensed before 1.4.1954. Which means you were not tested or things like. You had only to go to the next Police Station and fullfill a form.
The Janus was one of the better cars in the 250ccm class. They were known for their good handling but pur performance (too heavy). The backseats were against the driving direction what a lot of buyers did not like either. The price was also to high (nearly as expensive as a VW beetle). So nobody besides the class 4 drivers wanted to buy them. Everyone with a normal driving license bought a "real car". Zündapp built one prototype with Climax engine which had "a bit better" performance. Their own 600ccm bike engine would have provide also enough power but was to expensive. So they shut down the production after two years or nearly 7000 cars.

BTW. In 1990/91 good Trabbis (Rennpappen = racingpapers) were offerd for less than 100€. Today the Trabbi is the most common veteran car according to the german registration statistics.

Keep mogging,

Christian

Great shot.

They might look odd to our 21st century eyes but I think it must have been an exciting time design wise in the '50s....so many different ideas being tried.

I asked the chap for a look inside and the engine is seated between the front and rear seat . I must be a genuine mid engine car . Agree with Jay I can only remember dull grey and black cars in the 50s that look about as exciting as a shoe box .