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Staying in the slow lane - the Zündapp Janus mid-engined small car

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Created on March 1, 1983

Reading time 8min

Written by:

N.N. / Werner Bartholai

Photos:

Darin Schnabel - Courtesy RM Auctions

Bruno von Rotz

Archiv

Darin Schnabel - Courtesy RM Auctions

Bruno von Rotz

Archiv

Zündapp Janus (1957) - mit Fronttüre - Classic-Gala Schwetzingen 2017

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Zündapp Janus (1958) - verkauft als Lot 248 an der Versteigerung des Bruce Weiner Microcar Museums durch RM Auction im Jahr 2013

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Zündapp Janus (1957) - die Passagiere sassen Rücken an Rücken - Classic-Gala Schwetzingen 2017

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Dornier Delta (1955) - Prototyp der Dornier-Werke, gezeigt an der IAA 1955

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Dornier Delta (1955) - Prototyp der Dornierwerke mit Mittelmotor und nach vorne öffnender Türe

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Zündapp Janus (1956) - mit selbsttragender Karosserie und Einzelaufhängungen rundum

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Zündapp Janus (1956) - für die Besorgungen im Alltag

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Zündapp Janus (1956) - mit genau einem Handgriff werden 50% der Innenfläche zur Ladefläche

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Zündapp Janus (1956) - Durchsichtszeichnung

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Zündapp Janus (1956) - Einstieg von vorne

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Zündapp Janus (1956) - unorthodoxe Konstruktion - Antrieb in der Mitte, Sitze nach vorne und hinten ausgerichtet

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Zündapp Janus (1956) - Aufbau wie bei einer Flugzeugzelle, aber ohne teure und schwierig zu reparierende Leichtbleche

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Zündapp Janus (1956) - Turbobremsen - hydraulisch betätigte und sorgfältig belüftete Trommelbremsen

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Zündapp Janus (1956) - Vorderradschwinge und Bremstrommel

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Zündapp Janus (1956) - … und niemand sitzt im Wege

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Zündapp Janus (1957) - mit Türen hinten und vorne

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Zündapp Janus (1957) - praktisch für das kleine Schwätzlein unterwegs

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Zündapp Janus (1956) - Blick auf den 250 cm3 grossen Motor

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Summary

Between 1956 and 1958, Zündapp was also a car manufacturer. The Janus was an innovative small car with a mid-engine and passengers sitting back to back. Independent suspension all round and a self-supporting body were not standard even for expensive vehicles at the time. Because the Janus was too expensive and at the same time too underpowered, the hoped-for success did not materialize. After 6902 units, it was over. This report describes the history and the specifics of the Zündapp Janus, illustrated with many photos and archive images, supplemented by the original brochure and press dossier.

This article contains the following chapters

Four failed attempts at the automobile
At the fifth attempt and with the help of Dornier
Based on the motorcycle
The double-faced Janus
Big plans and new production facilities
A lot of publicity
Too weak to be successful
High strength, compact dimensions and economical too
The small car as a burden
Further information

Estimated reading time: 8min

Preview (beginning of the article)

As early as 1931, Zündapp's belief in the future of the motorcycle had prompted it to shelve plans for cars. In 1958, the Nuremberg-based company also gave up building its Janus because it once again saw greater opportunities in the two-wheeler business. When a new small car under the Zündapp brand was presented to the press in September 1956, it was the fifth attempt by this renowned motorcycle factory to gain a foothold in the automobile business. This time, it seemed, with success. In the fall of 1931, the Nuremberg company had been faced with the decision to produce cars in addition to motorcycles for the first time. The economic crisis thwarted the plan: The Schwingachs rear-engined car designed by Ferdinand Porsche for Zündapp did not go into series production.

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