Premium

Wanderer 1912-1940 - from bicycles to dolls

Name: Wanderer Püppchen 1913
Brand: Wanderer

This article was auto-translated. We apologize if some words are confusing or simply amusing. Would you like to help us improve?

Created in 2008

Text:

Roger Gloor

Photos:

Bruno von Rotz

R.A.C.I

Bruno von Rotz

R.A.C.I

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Wanderer W 8 Phaeton with factory bodywork (1926) - follow-up model of the 'Puppchen' with electrical equipment - in the August Horch Museum in Zwickau

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Wanderer W25 (1939) - Fritz Trägner with co-driver Gustav Menz, who had to plug a hole in the oil pan with a softly chewed French baguette - the "repair" even did its job for the return journey from Liège to the factory in Chemnitz

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

You have only

1 out of 4

images seen in high resolution

Summary

There were around 10,000 car brands and designers - most of which have disappeared. One of these vanished brands is Wanderer, which produced bicycles, motorcycles, typewriters and soon also cars. Its first series-produced car, the Püppchen, went down in automotive history. Today, Wanderer lives on in the Auto Union in one of the rings of the Audi brand.

Estimated reading time: 3min

Preview (beginning of the article)

The Chemnitz-based Velociped factory Winklhofer & Jaenicke had already chosen the brand name Wanderer for its bicycles in 1886. Motorcycles were added in 1902 and Continental typewriters in 1904. After an initial test model in 1905, the first Wanderer production car was built in 1912 with the 5/12 PS model. It was to go down in automotive history under the name Püppchen. Its 1147 cc four-cylinder engine with overhead intake and upright exhaust valves produced 12 hp at 1800 rpm and helped it reach a top speed of 70 km/h. The special feature was the tandem arrangement of the two seats, i.e. behind rather than next to each other.

Welcome to Zwischengas!