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Barn find: Glass beach wagon "Ranch" - number 2 has survived

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Created on December 19, 2023

Reading time 5min

Written by:

Stefan Dierkes

Photos:

Stefan Dierkes

Publifoto

David Phipps

Max Pichler

Pietro Frua

Archiv: Rolf Konen

Archiv Reinhard / Max Pichler

René Bellu

Archiv

Stefan Dierkes

Publifoto

David Phipps

Max Pichler

Pietro Frua

Archiv: Rolf Konen

Archiv Reinhard / Max Pichler

René Bellu

Archiv

Glas Isar 700 "Ranch" (1964) – Fahrzeug Nr. 2 der Scheunenfund

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Glas Isar 700 "Ranch" (1964) – Fahrzeug Nr. 2, neben dem Opel Kadett A Frua Spider beim 35. Genfer Salon

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Austin Mini Moke (1965) - auf Basis des BMC 850 gebautes Freizeitfahrzeug - Genfer Automobilsalon 1965

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Glas Isar 700 "Ranch" (1964) – auf dem Stand der Genfer Carrosserie Italsuisse beim 35. Genfer Salon

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Morris Mini Moke (1966) - eine Strandvariante aus englischer Fertigung

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Glas Isar 700 "Ranch" (1964) – Historische Aufnahme von Fahrzeug Nr. 1

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Glas Isar 700 "Ranch" (1964) – Historische Aufnahme von Fahrzeug Nr. 2

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In dieser Scheune ruhte der verschollen geglaubte Glas "Ranch" Nr. 2

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Glas Isar 700 "Ranch" (1964) – Fahrzeug Nr. 2 zusammen mit einem VW Käfer und einem Citroën 2CV

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Glas Isar 700 "Ranch" (1964) – Schirftzug "Ranch"

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Glas Isar 700 "Ranch" (1964) – Das Emblem der Carrosserie Italsuisse

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Glas Isar 700 "Ranch" (1964) – Staub statt Sand im Cockpit

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Glas Isar 700 "Ranch" (1964) – Auch im Motorraum ist noch alles da, wo es hingehört

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Es gab nicht nur historische Fahrzeuge sondern eine ansehliche Sammlung alter Radio und Kuriosika zu entdecken

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Auf der Suche nach den Fahrzeugdokumente

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Glas Isar 700 "Ranch" (1964) – Historische Aufnahme von Fahrzeug Nr. 3

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Glas Isar 700 "Ranch" (1964) – Fahrzeug Nr. 3 im Automuseum Melle

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Glas Isar 700 "Ranch" (1964) – Fahrgestellnummer und Typenschild von Fahrzeug Nr. 3 im Automuseum Melle

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Summary

After years of research, the second of a total of three Glas "Ranch" cars has turned up in a barn. It is the same vehicle that was on display at the 35th Geneva Motor Show. This article takes you on a journey of discovery to Glas "Ranch" number 2, which was thought to be lost.

This article contains the following chapters

Premiere at the Turin Salon
It still exists, the barn find
Search for the vehicle documents

Estimated reading time: 5min

Preview (beginning of the article)

After many years of research, a barn find in an enchanted castle in France can shed light on the history of the Glas Isar beach car "Ranch", of which three were built. It all began on January 23, 1964 with Pietro Frua's 1:10 design drawing of an open beach car, which he included in his project list with the commission number 330 as "Jeep su Glas 700" and labeled on the drawing "Ranch su autotelaio Glas 700" (in German: "Ranch auf der Bodengruppe des Glas 700"). According to the Schweizer Automobil Revue ( issue of November 12, 1964 ) , the order was placed by Fattori & Montani S.p.A. in Rome, the exclusive importer of Glas and Goggomobil for Italy. The idea obviously came from the British Mini Moke, which had been in production since January 1964, and according to the British motoring journalist and former Classic & Sportscar editor Giles Chapman, there were also vague discussions about converting the lightweight, doorless and windowless leisure vehicle for use by paratroopers.

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