Glas (1949 - 1966) - how a successful company was sold off

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Glas (1949 - 1966) - how a successful company was sold off

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Created on January 13, 2020

Text:

Fabian Meyer

Photos:

Josef und Daniel Reinhard

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Archiv Reinhard / Max Pichler

2

Archiv/Werk

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Archiv

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Goggomobil T 250 (1956) - an early model with rear-hinged doors, a carrier could be mounted on the roof for luggage

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Goggomobil T 250 (1956) - Test drive on unpaved roads

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Goggomobil TS 250 (1957) - the coupé also offered four seats

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Goggomobil TS 250 (1958) - Coupé at the 1958 Geneva Motor Show

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Goggomobil T 600 (1958) - elegance is further emphasized by the two-tone paintwork

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Glass 1204 (1964) - the modern engine with camshaft control via timing belt (see-through drawing)

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Glas 1204 (1963) - latest version with 1.2-liter front engine and four-seater body

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Glass Dolomite (1964) - at the 1964 Geneva Motor Show

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Glass Dolomite (1964) - at the 1964 Geneva Motor Show

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Glass S 1004 (1962) at the Geneva Motor Show - foray into the mid-size class

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Glas 1004 (1964) - with a sporty touch thanks to the four-cylinder engine with overhead camshaft - Geneva Motor Show 1964

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Glass S 1204 (1963) - elegant and strong

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Glas 1300 GT (1965) - after the pretty coupé designed by Frua, now comes the no less beautiful convertible version - Geneva Motor Show 1965

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Glass 1300 GT (1963) - at the Brussels Motor Show in 1964

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Glas 1300 GT (1966) - Sketch of the front axle

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Glas 1300 GT Cabriolet (1966) - the convertible also cut a fine figure when closed

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Glas 1700 GT (1965) - the faster model did not differ visually from its smaller brother

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Glas 1700 (1968) - with BMW hubcaps and equipment adapted to the BMW standard

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Glas 1700 TS (1965) - the larger engine in the 1700 TS produced 100 hp, the braking aid is clearly visible

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Glas 2600 V8 Coupé (1967) - elegant silhouette of the sports coupé

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Glas 2600 V8 Coupé (1965) - Beautifully designed rear by Pietro Frua

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Glass 2600 V8 (1967) - elegant creation by Pietro Frua

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Maserati Quattroporte (1964) - the body design was created by Pietro Frua - at the 1964 Geneva Motor Show

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BMW 1600 GT (1967) - the glass became a BMW - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1967

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Porsche 912 (1965) - the four-cylinder model at its launch in 1965

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Porsche 911 Targa (1965) - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1965 - Roll bar as an integral part of the bodywork

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Glas 2600 V8 Coupé (1965) - a good laugh with so much displacement, power and sportiness

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Summary

The Glas car company may no longer be active in the production of automobiles, but it is far from being forgotten. This is due to the complex history of the company, which began in the century before last. Glas automobiles were able to hold their own on the market for a long time and achieve success in a wide variety of areas. But nothing lasts forever...

This article contains the following chapters

Glas agricultural machinery factory
Restructuring of the company
The Goggo-Mobil
The little man's Porsche
1300 GT / 1700 GT - serious competitors to Porsche
Racing successes
Glaserati and the end of the company
Takeover by BMW

Estimated reading time: 7min

Preview (beginning of the article)

The German car brand Glas was once an up-and-coming German car company that had its origins in the construction of agricultural machinery. Once the focus turned to the automotive business, the company was unstoppable. Success in motor racing, a steadily growing international reputation and popular car models for every target group meant that the company enjoyed many successful years. However, the motto also applies here: nothing lasts forever... In its early days, the Glas company focused on the construction of agricultural machinery. Founded in Bavaria in 1860, the company employed over 300 people. Even in the early days, the agricultural machinery sold like hot cakes. During the Second World War, the company was forced to act as an armaments supplier for the German army under Adolf Hitler. In the post-war period, business boomed again, which is why the company was soon able to employ around 1000 people.

Welcome to Zwischengas!

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