Car construction inspires young people for classic cars

Name: Ferrari 250 GTO
Brand: Ferrari

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Created on August 24, 2011

Text:

Balz Schreier

Photos:

Balz Schreier

Fredi Vollenweider

Balz Schreier

Fredi Vollenweider

Lamborghini Miura P 400 (1966) and Ferrari 330 GTO ready for action on the test track

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Lamborghini Miura P 400 (1966) on the test track of Autobau in Romanshorn

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Fredy Lienhard in the Lamborghini Miura P 400 (1966) on the test track of the car factory in Romanshorn

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Cockpit from the outside of a Lamborghini Miura P 400 (1966) in the car building in Romanshorn

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Cockpit view of the Lamborghini Miura P 400 (1966) in the car building in Romanshorn

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Ferrari 330 GTO replica by David Piper on the test track of Autobau in Romanshorn - Drive along the Autobau Factory

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Ferrari 330 GTO replica by David Piper on the test track of Autobau in Romanshorn

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Getting into a Ferrari 330 GTO is not easy

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Urs Hauser makes sure that his co-driver is wearing his seatbelt correctly... The test drive should not be a Sunday drive!

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After a short boarding procedure, you're ready to go: The Ferrari 330 GTO (1962) rolls onto the test track at Autobau in Romanshorn

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Porsche 911 Targa (1970) on the test track of Autobau in Romanshorn

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Even fastening the seat belt in the Porsche 911 Targa (1970) is apparently not as easy as in a modern Porsche today

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Enzmann 506 (1960) in car construction in Romanshorn

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Enzmann 506 (1960) on the test track of Autobau in Romanshorn

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Ferrari 330 GTO (1962) on the test track of Autobau in Romanshorn

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Impressions of car construction in Romanshorn

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In the large presentation room of Autobau in Romanshorn, the in-depth work of the automotive mechatronics apprentices was presented

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Kari Enzmann building a car in Romanshorn

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Fredy Lienhard building a car in Romanshorn

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Eugen Strähl (Sauber C5 racing driver at Le Mans in 1977 and 1978) building a car in Romanshorn

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Urs Hauser (technical manager) building cars in Romanshorn

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An automotive mechatronics technician for commercial vehicles presents his thesis on the Porsche 911 Targa

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Parking lot at the car building in Romanshorn

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Visitors sought out the shade - the midday heat was a bit intense after all

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Impressions of the Autobau Factory - Horag Racing has its second branch in Switzerland here

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The AMN 7b commercial vehicle mechatronics apprentice class at the car manufacturing plant in Romanshorn

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When I received the invitation from Kari Enzmann to visit Autobau on the occasion of the presentations of the in-depth work of the automotive mechatronics technicians for commercial vehicles, I didn't really have any idea what I would experience there. All I knew was that each apprentice was allowed to choose a vehicle from Autobau, on which they would write a detailed final project and present it on that day. However, the fact that the apprentices were allowed to drive the vehicles or even drive them themselves certainly surprised many visitors on that day.

Also special was certainly the presence of Eugen Strähl, who raced around the test track in a Ford GT on that Saturday, but was at the start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans several times during his active time: in 1977 and 1978 with the Sauber C5, together with Marc Surer and Harry Blumer, and in 1975 with a Porsche Carrera RS.

Other drivers were Kari Enzmann, Urs Hauser (responsible for the cars at Autobau) and Fredy Lienhard, owner of Autobau.

Autobau?

As soon as I arrived, I was impressed by the size of Autobau: a huge hall with various specialists (the so-called Autobau Factory), a very spacious garage(Car Lounge, also known as a first-class hotel for vehicles, where private individuals can find space for their classic cars), then the test track, where you can even break the 100 km/h barrier with the right vehicles, a museum with impressive exhibits, a large open meeting room and a modern café-bar with an outdoor terrace and a view of the test track...

Miura & Co

At the entrance to the test track in the parking lot, there were already some impressive vehicles: Lamborghini Miura, Ferrari 330 GTO (the replica by David Piper, who had this vehicle built by Mario Allegretti in Modena), a new Ford GT, the always strikingly beautiful Enzmann 506 and a Porsche 911 Targa. Fredy Lienhard, owner of Autobau and head of the Lista Group, warmed up the Miura, while Urs Hauser took care of the other vehicles. From time to time, other vehicles rolled onto the test track, most of them from Fredy Lienhard's private collection. A truly impressive variety of brands rolled across the asphalt!

A successful idea and implementation

Most young people are primarily interested in modern vehicles and are usually only familiar with makes and models from previous years. Kari Enzmann's idea of bringing the apprentices into contact with classic cars in this way was really ingenious, not only did they discover all the details of their object in texts and pictures, but they were also able to touch, hear and sometimes even drive the cars themselves... The digital archive of Zwischengas also provided good support, at least for the theoretical part of the work.

Autobau is an interesting place, a visit will inspire every car fan. The best way to find out about upcoming events is via the official website.