Creative ideas to increase passive safety - forerunner of the airbag

Bruno von Rotz
01/31/2014

Pralltopf für den Beifahrer beim Enzmann 506 von 1960

The need to prevent damage to health in the event of an accident repeatedly inspired inventors to develop creative solutions long before the airbag was ready for series production.

Emil Enzmann, who together with his brothers developed the Enzmann 506 sports car , for example, invented the impact absorber for the front passenger (see picture above).

The German designer C. F. Waldmann went even further: as early as 1954, he designed a Plexiglas control plate for the driver and a safety buffer for the front passenger, which, in the event of sudden braking, would spring out of the container previously used as a glove compartment by inertia and slow down the passenger's upper body before it hit the dashboard.

Die Einrichtungen zur passiven Sicherheit von C. F. Waldmann, präsentiert an einem Mercedes Ponton im Jahr 1954

The Automobil Revue was apparently given a demonstration at the time and was able to see for itself how the device installed in a Mercedes Ponton sedan worked. However, it was noted that the version presented was not yet suitable for series production.

A few days ago, we published an extensive article on the airbag, its development, which led to a patent being filed in 1951, and the question of whether it is still safe in classic cars .

Share this article with your friends!

Would Porsche's mid-engined sedan have stood a chance?

Bruno von Rotz
01/30/2014

VW EA 266 von 1969 - heute ein Museumsstück (© Volkswagen)

While the mid-engine ensured convincing dynamics and racing success in sports cars from the 1960s onwards, hardly any saloon car manufacturer dared to use this design. For good reason, because if the engine is placed in the middle, valuable usable space is lost that would normally be taken up by the passengers.

Porsche tried anyway and developed the EA 266 for Volkswagen at the end of the 1960s, a family sedan with the potential to replace the VW Beetle.

The result spoke for itself, as the car was in a class of its own in terms of driving dynamics. It is said to have been 187 km/h fast thanks to an injected 100 hp four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 1.6 liters, and the road holding would have driven many a sports car driver to despair.

The engine was pushed under the rear seat of the car to save space, and that's where the problems began. Because this is where the most road dust occurs, there was a lot of engine damage and because it was not easy to access the engine, it had to be removed for comparatively simple maintenance work.

vW EA 266 von 1969 bei Testfahrten im Norden im Jahr 1970 gesichtet

In any case, Volkswagen was not convinced by the Porsche concept, which had also been considered with other bodies, and instead brought the VW Golf onto the market. The rest is history.

Share this article with your friends!

When the bourgeois limousine becomes a hot rally weapon

Bruno von Rotz
01/29/2014

Opel Ascona in der Werbung im Jahr 1972 (© GM Corporation - Opel)

Between 1970 and 1975, Opel built the Ascona A, which was designed by Charles Jordan. Of course, the Opel people were aware of the brand's staid image and were looking for challenges in motorsport to give the Ascona a little more glamor. As early as 1972, magazine advertisements read: "Should you buy an Opel Ascona just because it wins rallies?".

Opel Ascona im Jahr 1970 (© GM Corporation - Opel)

However, the Ascona did not become a real rally success until 1974, when Walter Röhrl turned the steering wheel of the Group 2 version with over 200 hp. He won the European Rally Championship in the Ascona A.

Walter Röhrl im Opel Ascona von 1974 (© GM Corporation - Opel)

Today, however, we are somewhat astonished by some of the basic data of the normal Ascona A, of which 690,000 were built: weight from 870 kg, price from DM 7,548 - that would be less than 4000 euros without inflation adjustments. Lightning!

Walter Röhrl auf Opel Ascona 1974 an der Moldau-Rallye (© GM Corporation - Opel)

Share this article with your friends!

Forgotten movie cars - Fiat 131 Supermirafiori in "Le Professionel"

Bruno von Rotz
01/28/2014

Fiat 131 Supermirafiori 1981 im Film Le Professionel

The Fiat 131 was a traditional saloon with rear-wheel drive and a four-cylinder engine at the front. It became - in the powerful Abarth version - world rally champion in 1977, 1978 and 1980. The 131 model was given the additional designation "Mirafiori", which was derived from the factory of the same name in Turin.

It was built in three generations, which differed mainly in terms of design details and the use of more or less plastic. As part of the third generation, the "Supermirafiori" models were also built, which were characterized by particularly lavish equipment (electric window regulators, central locking, etc.).

Fiat 131 Supermirafiori von 1981

And one of these Supermirafiori models was also the driving vehicle for Jean-Paul Belmondo in the film "Le Professionel", which was released in German cinemas on January 8, 1982 under the title " Der Profi ".

In this film, Belmondo plays a betrayed secret service agent who wants to complete his canceled mission and in doing so makes an enemy of his own secret service. And he drives a red Fiat Supermirafiori, which, however, suffers considerable damage in the course of the movie. Incidentally, some people will probably remember the film music by Ennio Morricone.

Fiat 131 Supermirafiori 1981 im Film Le Professionel - mit Blessuren und Kampfspuren

Whether this use in the film led to more sales for the Supermirafiori is doubtful, but even so, the 131 model was a success for the Turin-based manufacturer, with over 1.5 million units produced between 1974 and 1984. Nevertheless, these cars have almost completely disappeared from the roads, or when was the last time you saw a Fiat 131 on the road?

Einblick in den Fiat 131 Supermirafiori von 1981

Share this article with your friends!

Do you know this one? Ranger 2500 GTS

Bruno von Rotz
01/27/2014

Ranger 2500 GTS Automatic 1970

Some will probably recognize the rear (Opel Rekord), others will remember the front (Vauxhall). In fact, however, the Ranger 2500 GTS was a modular model par excellence.

The body structure of the 1970 Ranger 2500 GTS A manufactured in Switzerland(Biel) and Belgium(Antwerp) came from the Opel Rekord C, the six-cylinder engine from the Opel Commodore, the radiator grille from Vauxhall, the seats from the Opel Admiral and other components from General Motors' worldwide parts shelf.

The Ranger - the brand was originally launched for South Africa - was sold via the Vauxhall sales network because there were various gaps in the British GM brand's model range which it was hoped to fill.

In its short test in May 1970, Automobil Revue was very impressed by the car, which was equipped with an automatic transmission. "The Ranger 2500 GTS appeals to those buyers who want a low-maintenance, powerful, comfortable and not overly expensive car."

The four-door model, which cost CHF 17,680 in Switzerland, was good-natured, fully equipped and not too big, commented the AR editorial team at the time.

Other Ranger models were also available with the Opel 1.9-liter engine from CHF 11,395. A lot of car for the money, and yet its success was probably limited, if only because of the limited sales area. Today, a Ranger 2500 GTS is probably one of those rarities that might raise a few eyebrows at some classic car meetings.

More photos can be found in the Zwischengas picture archive.

Share this article with your friends!

How Jaguar demonstrated the versatility of the 2+2 E-Type

Bruno von Rotz
01/26/2014

Jaguar E-Type 2+2 (1966)

When Jaguar launched the E-Type 2+2, they were looking for ways to demonstrate the versatility of this sports car. Up to three passengers could ultimately be seated in the four-seater coupé in addition to the driver, regardless of whether they were traveling to a ski weekend or a formal party. The aim was always to travel in style and comfort, at least according to the marketing people in 1966.

Four models were hired for the New York Auto Show to illustrate these qualities: Miss Jaguar Sports, Miss Jaguar Sophisticate and two times Miss Jaguar Travelers. The models were dressed in appropriate outfits, the cars were fitted with matching accessories and the impressive demonstration of the new Jaguar qualities was complete. As an example, here is the picture (above) of Miss Jaguar Sports dressed for a visit to the beach, making herself comfortable in the luggage compartment of the new XK-E 2+2 Coupé.

The Zwischengas picture archive contains almost 800 images of the elegant Jaguar E-Type big cat, a selection of which can be viewed in a picture magic sequence .

Share this article with your friends!

Classic pearls of the future - BMW 850 i

Bruno von Rotz
01/25/2014

BMW 850i Coupé in Silber aus dem Jahr 1990 (© BMW AG)

Its predecessor was popular and had a long life, the BMWE24 designed by Paul Bracq, known as the 628 to 635 CSI. When its successor, the E31, was unveiled in 1989 in the form of the BMW 850i, not all coupé fans clapped their hands. For some E24 fans, the successor was too techno-savvy and cumbersome.

BMW 635 CSI von 1986 (© BMW AG)

It was also expensive - the car cost between 120,000 and 180,000 marks in Germany, depending on the version - and it was not available as a six-cylinder or with a V8, at least not at first.

The eight-cylinder was added later, but the in-line six seemed too slender for the Munich-based company's luxury coupé.

BMW 850i von 1990 mit seinen Vorgängern

The design was created under the direction of Claus Luthe, the man who had already drawn the Ro80 shape many years earlier. He combined elements reminiscent of the 1979 M1, such as the sleeping eyes and the wedge-shaped front, with simple nineties lines.

The car looked bigger than it was. In fact, it was only three centimetres longer than its predecessor, the 635 CSI. In terms of width, however, it gained a noticeable 13 centimetres from the driver's perspective. With basic dimensions of 4.78 x 1.86 meters for length x width, the BMW 850 was still considerably more compact than the Maserati GranTurismo of the modern era, for example. However, parking distance control systems did not yet exist in 1989 when the E31 was introduced.

The twelve-cylinder engine with an initial 300 hp was followed in 1992 by the sharp CSI version with 380 hp and a displacement of 5.5 liters. And at the lower end, a 286 hp eight-cylinder coupé was added in 1993 with the 840i. All cars were also available with manual transmission, although the automatic versions predominate on today's used car market.

In total, just over 30,621 units left the factory. Most of them had a V12 under the hood, while just under 8,000 of the V8 were built. If you want something particularly exclusive, choose the 850 CSI, which was only available with a manual gearbox and only 1510 were built. That is only slightly more units than were sold of the 300 SL Gullwing.

Prices currently start in the four-digit range, but for 850 CSI versions with manageable mileage, prices can change hands for 30,000 euros or more.

Two variants that never made it into series production are not for sale: the 850i Cabriolet and the lost M8 prototype.

Share this article with your friends!

That certain difference - Lincoln Premiere versus Fiat Nuova 500 55 years ago

Daniel Reinhard
01/24/2014

While the Americans have always loved lavish dimensions, for the Italians the spice was in the brevity. The Fiat Nuova 500is practically as long as the passenger compartment of the Lincoln Premiere without overhangs.

But lo and behold, four people can sit more or less comfortably in both cars. The only difference: in the Fiat only with a toothbrush in the luggage, whereas in the Lincoln with the entire house furnishings.

If you're planning an outing with men, the trunk of the American car has room for a deck of cards, even in the rain!

But the Fiat also has its practical advantages. Because if a parking space is needed quickly, the small Italian can easily find space between two other cars, where the American has to look out for a minimum of two parking spaces.

Comparison of dimensions

Criterion	Lincoln Premiere	Fiat Nuova 500
Length cm	577	297
Width cm	203.5	132
Height cm	144	132.5
Wheelbase cm	332.7	184
Front track cm	154.9	112,1
Rear track cm	154.9	113,5
Ground clearance cm	16	15
Turning circle m	13.7	8.6
Built from	1956 to 1960	1957 to 1975

Share this article with your friends!

A 300-SL meeting over 40 years ago

Bruno von Rotz
01/23/2014

Treffen der Mercedes Benz 300 SL in Grindelwald im Jahr 1970

In 1970, a dozen Mercedes Benz 300 SL (W 198) met in Grindelwald. This was probably one of the first meetings of this type of vehicle; the open-top variants were obviously in the majority, although many had a hardtop.

If you had told any of the participants, most of whom had probably bought their cars as used cars for four or five-figure sums in Swiss francs or deutschmarks, that their cars would one day be worth over a million Swiss francs or euros, you would probably have been laughed at.

Share this article with your friends!

Miele, not only vacuum cleaners, but also cars

Bruno von Rotz
01/22/2014

Miele K1 von 1912

Most people know Miele as a manufacturer of household appliances such as vacuum cleaners, but the German family business, which was founded in 1899, also built automobiles.

Between 1912 and 1914, just over 133 touring cars, saloons and vans of the K1, K2 and K3 types were hand-built at the Gütersloh plant.

Some of these vehicles were even exported, e.g. to countries such as Russia and Uruguay.

The robust vehicles were powered by four-cylinder engines with displacements of 1567 and 2292 cm3.

In 1991, Miele sent out a circular to find a Miele K1, K2 or K3 for the factory museum. A reward of 5000 francs was offered at the time. It is unclear whether this letter was successful, but a red K1 from 1913 is now on display in the company museum at the headquarters in Gütersloh.

Share this article with your friends!

Zwischengas has been publishing a daily blog post here since 2010

For more entries, please use the navigation by year and month.