A pioneer has left us - Emil Enzmann's last journey
On August 12, 2016, the Swiss country doctor and automobile designer Emil Enzmann (1921-2016), who was known far beyond the country's borders, passed away at the age of 95 surrounded by his large family.
He spent his youth in Schüpfheim in Entlebuch, which also shaped his later years. He was born with an interest in cars.
In his long and fulfilling life, he found time not only for his job and his family, but also for his numerous hobbies, especially automobile construction.
He became known far beyond the country's borders in September 1957 at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, where he presented his Enzmann 506 with its unique, doorless plastic body based on the VW Beetle, which he had designed, for the first time at stand no. 506.
The photographer and automotive journalist Seifert was very fond of him and repeatedly reported on the car pioneer's creations in a wide variety of magazines. In addition to the Beetle-based 506, Enzmann also developed a DKW front-engine variant called the Enzmann 500 , which has unfortunately been lost .
As a practitioner, he preferred to work on the full-size model and safety was a particular concern of his, which he demonstrated with the development of pioneering ideas such as the impact cushion, neck protection and special ergonomic sports seats.
Of the 100 or so Enzmann plastic sports cars built, around 40 have survived, and many of the owners were still able to meet the builder in person.
Further information on Emil Enzmann's life's work can be found on the Enzmann website.
