Until the sparks fly ...
11/06/2015
In 1952, Otto Mathé, a Zillertal racing driver (1907 to 1995), constructed a racing car from existing Volkswagen and Porsche parts. The tight bodywork was hand-trimmed and placed over a tubular frame. The front and rear axles came from one of the VW "Berlin-Rom" cars, but the Porsche factory racing engine was installed in front of the rear axle. A progressive design and one of the most successful Austrian racing cars of the 1950s.
Spectators and fans alike called the car, which could be used both as a formula car and a sports car, the "Fetzenflieger", and not without good reason. To protect the engine compartment, which was open on both sides, from dust, the openings were covered with fabric. In the event of a misfire, the fabric quickly began to burn and then flew around the ears of the opponents behind as shreds.
Another impressive detail: Mathé, whom Niki Lauda described as an idol of his childhood, shifted gears on the left because he had been unable to move his right arm since a motorcycle accident in 1934. When he had to change gear on bends, he pressed his chest against the steering wheel to stabilize the car. Despite this handicap, he was hard to beat.
The "Fetzenlieger" can be seen at the Prototyp Automuseum in Hamburg. We will be publishing a detailed report on this museum in the next few days.
