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Staunau - Mini-Ami from Northern Germany

Name: Staunau K 750 1950
Brand: Staunau

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Created on April 1, 1973

Text:

Erik Eckermann

Photos:

Archiv Automobil Revue

Archiv

Archiv Automobil Revue

Archiv

Staunau K 400/750 from 1951 -2-cylinder two-stroke engine with air cooling, 389 cm3, with twin pistons 748 cm3, 13.5 or 28:25 hp - built 1950-1951

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In this photo, the often-discussed dented bodywork, which earned the car the term "barbaric", is not visible. On the contrary: it looks very shapely and without any inaccuracies.

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The design of the Staunau Coupé is subtly reminiscent of a Porsche.

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Summary

The German car manufacturer Staunau had a company history that could not have been more contrasting. On the one hand, the first model enjoyed considerable success, while on the other hand, individual models in the product range had the reputation of being "such a barbaric automobile", to quote AMS (issue 15/1951). This historical report from 1973 sheds light on Staunau's entire company history, supplemented by historical data sheets and a few pictures.

This article contains the following chapters

Ice machines, automobiles and airplanes
Considerable success - with the first model
The "most beautiful small car"
Controversial influences from overseas
Poor(er) performance comes at a high price
No serious competition for VW?
Almost making European and American automotive history
No sales worries
Progressively designed and yet "barbaric"
Controversial discussions and different opinions
Many old machines and little capital
Germany soon had one less manufacturer...

Estimated reading time: 12min

Preview (beginning of the article)

I have counted them: there were about forty new car brands in West Germany after the Second World War. Mind you: new car brands. They came with a lot of enthusiasm and great promises, but with little capital and sometimes with dubious business methods. Each year brought an abundance of prototypes and new launches that were quickly forgotten. Only a few were able to set up real production and survive for a few years. Then they too disappeared again. Karl-Heinz Staunau, previously a manufacturer of ice machines and lifting equipment in Hamburg-Harburg, was one of those who at least built a certain number of cars. Now cars were to roll out of the gates, and Staunau commissioned the then 32-year-old aircraft engineer Gerd Krebs to design a mobile vehicle. Krebs, initially a freelancer at Staunau, envisioned a three-wheeled cabin à la Isetta for production. However, the ILO works in Pinneberg were testing the further development of the 400 cc two-stroke engine that had powered the Tempo delivery vans before the war. In addition to the engine, a Hurth gearbox for front-wheel drive could also be supplied.

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