The Berlin Motor Show 100 years ago
11/13/2011
In October 1911, automobile and accessory manufacturers showed what they had to offer at the Berlin Motor Show. The Automobil Revue 37/1911 reported on it over seven pages . In order to arouse interest and give an impression, only some of the highlights (called "Clou" in the article) are summarized here.
- Deutsche Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft exhibited eight Mercedes cars, all four-cylinder and seven of them with "Cardan drive".
- At the Benz & Cie. stand, visitors were able to admire the world record-breaking 200 hp car, which had reached 228.96 km/h.
- Adam Opel presented a new patented original carburetor. The vehicles were described as the most solid and beautifully designed vehicles ever produced by German engineering.
- E. E. Mathis showed the little baby car, at 5,500 not only cheaper, but also smaller in all dimensions, but still big enough.
- The Stoewer brothers impressed with the cleanliness of their work. The vehicles were real showpieces and technically highly interesting.
- N.A.G. presented an inexpensive little car intended for doctors and business people alongside the elegant luxury cars. A small electric car that could be chauffeured by "any lady" represented a "small ideal" of simplicity and safety.
- The Ford stand was also spectacular, where three cars with 20 hp and technical refinements such as a two-speed planetary gearbox, low-tension magneto ignition and a generator built into the gearbox were on display for just 3,800 marks. This attractive price level was made possible above all by the large production volume of 40,000 units per year - more than the entire European vehicle industry put together.
- The Fischerwagen from Switzerland, equipped with the valveless Fischer engine with its unique engine valve control and original three-speed gearbox, made its appearance.
- Turicum, in a class of its own thanks to its unique friction wheel drive, presented a new four-cylinder car with thermosyphon cooling.
- Martini, one of the oldest automobile factories, brought finished vehicles with 20, 30 and 40 hp, all equipped with four-cylinder engines with aluminum housings, to Berlin.
- New designs were also presented, e.g. with a central driver's seat at the front (see picture).
- A large part of the exhibition was dedicated to the accessories industry, with Robert Bosch having the largest presence, which was present on almost every stand; in fact, 86.7% of the suppliers showed Bosch accessories. Among other things, Bosch exhibited a magnetic-electric starter, which, as Bosch hoped at the time, would grow into a real starter.
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