Oliver Herbolzheimer is well known in the Messerschmitt community. He restores cars for a living in Germany. He makes replacement parts, his daily driver is a Tg500 replica that has a Trabant 601 powerplant. Take a tour of his shop with these two videos. (had to break the 30 min show into 2 pieces for YouTube)
Note to non-German audience: the video is from German television. It is all German, there are no subtitles, nor is there an “English” version, so don’t ask. Just watch and enjoy.
Part 1:
Pixar put all the characters in CARS 2 on a turntable so you can see them from all sides.
This is the 1958 Zündapp Janus that appears as “Professor Z”
The Janus is sort of like the BMW Isetta, but it has a door that opens at the front AND the back.
It looks the same coming or going. Hence the name of the Roman God: JANUS
The green/green color scheme is actually a period-correct one and would be found on an original car.
This piece from ITV IOM (Isle of Man) news has Ernie Leece discussing the “new” replica Peel P50s and Tridents that are being made and allegedly sold in the UK. Now it’s time for the perspective of someone who worked at the actual Peel Engineering Co on the Isle of Man.
In addition, here is a link to the episode of DRAGON’S DEN broadcast on the BBC that is referred to in the video. Watch the hosts of the show rip their business plan to shreds.”Half-Baked” is what they call it. Also- while you watch the Dragon’s Den episode note how they try to make it appear as though they “bought the company” from the Isle of Man, just as Ernie Leece says in the news video.
This short bit from a German version of Sesame Street features a Goggomobil TS250 (it appears at about 1:29).
Apparently the guy is trying to deliver the bed and frame from a store and attempts to use the Goggo. Lots of fun for the next few minutes. The Goggo gets in the bed at one point.
See if you can spot the Zündapp Janus in the trailer for the new CARS movie from PIXAR.
Unlike the previous film this is not a “blend” of several microcars, it seems to be a rather accurate depiction of the vehicle (except for the addition of the monocle….). Oh and the Janus also appears to be a “bad guy”. Whoo Hoo! Hope they find a use for the rear door. Perhaps he is “two-faced”? Hat Tip to Larry Claypool for the heads up.
cheaters can click here for a pic of the car
Mark Hatten in Portland Oregon evicts the squirrels from a Renault Dauphine that has been sitting for many years. Lots of sparks, lots of nuts and lots of fun.
This is Jon Hunt’s BMW Isetta being driven by Jeremy Clarkson for the first episode of this season’s TOP GEAR.
Unfortunately this sequence was cut from the show but you can now watch it here.
Is that “Brazil” being played in the background? Shouldn’t that be used for Messerschmitts?
Oh, well, Bubblecars, they are all the same anyways right?
After leading the Route 66 group to the end of the trail in Chicago we had dinner at Navy Pier.
The Zündapp Janus led Uwe and Ralf in the Goggomobil Transporter back to their hotel that evening along Lake Shore Drive.
It was a good drive and later we wondered which vehicle might be faster?
Both had 250cc 2-stroke motors.
This video documents the Microcars on Route 66 Rally as it starts from Santa Monica Pier in California.
note that the Red Goggomobil Coupe with Dave Raab driving is NOT on the trip, he was just there to help send them off.
This 8 minute video is a rambling tour (narrated in German) of the Jesada Technik Museum in Thailand.
Previously covered as the Microcar Museum in Thailand, this video shows a bit more coverage of vast numbers of Microcars stored away in all sorts of places in all sorts of conditions from buckets of rust to restored, or at least presentable examples. Tip of the hat to Mark Hatten for the head’s up.
Scenes from the 1961 British comedy DOUBLE BUNK that only include the Heinkel Kabine.
This film has been out of print for many years and unavailable, now it can be found on Amazon or rented from Netflix! The quality is very good and the film is not bad either.
Does anyone know who owns/owned that Heinkel or where it is today?
From the Orange County Register, this really nicely done profile piece about Dave Raab,
Microcar Enthusiast and Collector from Tustin California. There is an ad at the beginning of the video, but the video is worth it.
There is a print story that accompanies this, read that HERE.
Make sure you read down to the first comment, it is hilarious!
Great Pacific Northwest Microcar Meet Forest Grove Oregon, June 11-13th 2010.
Microcars and Minicars run rampant, enjoy in the fun! Saturday’s 50 mile drive through the rolling hills and farm fields of Helvetia, with a tour stop at “Garden Vineyard” . Next was lunch at “Helvetia Tavern” , a wonderful parking lot impromptu serenade by “Houseblend” and a picturesque photo op at “Pumpkin Ridge” golf course. Hot 83′f afternoon sun required a soft serve ice cream “microcar” drive-in in treat at “Scottie’s Drive-In” back in old town Forest Grove. Sunday was the big show day on the grass in front of the McMeniman’s Grand Lodge Hotel. Fun was had by all!
Sponsored by mphspecialties.com
I remember seeing this commercial on TV when it came out!
The N600 was introduced to the USA in 1969 as a 1970 model, and was the first Honda automobile to be officially imported to the United States. It was technologically advanced for its time, with an all alloy engine that could achieve 9000 rpm. Engine output was 36–45 hp (27–34 kW) and the N600 was capable of 81 mph (130 km/h). It delivered surprisingly peppy performance because of its light weight (around 550 kg/1100 pounds), due to compact dimensions and some plastic parts (like the boot lid). The first brakes were very weak, despite having front disks and power assist. Rear suspension was a dead axle on leaf springs.
Production was stopped in 1972, along with the sportier Honda Z600 and the car was replaced by the first generation Honda Civic.
