What a shot; the evolution of rear-engined cars couldn’t be displayed better here: from the revolutionary Tatra 77, to the VW Beetle it helped inspire, and finally the VW’s offspring, the Porsche 911. Our most prolific CC Cohort Contributor (and CC commentator) Bryce, based in New Zealand, has posted a raft of fine shots from an outing to the Southward Car Museum near Paraparaumu on the North Island. A trip to NZ is on our bucket list, and we’ll have to include this stop. Here’s a sampler; Bryce’s full coverage is at the CCC page.
Before we take in some of the other delights, let’s take a look at the front of these two, given their historical significance. Although Tatra did successfully sue VW for infringements on their intellectual property, it wasn’t quite as simple as the VW being just a scaled down copy. The actual infringement was limited to some rather narrowly defined issues, and I am planning an article on the genesis of the Beetle. The actual styling of the Beetle was inspired by John Tjaarda’s prototype for the Lincoln Zephyr.
Bryce is also indulging my love for the 1934 Chrysler Airflow, with its controversial waterfall grille. Americans didn’t dig it. Oh well.
Speaking of the svelte Zephyr, here’s on that’s been cut up into a rat rod. Hard to think of a more fitting engine than the “ratty” Zephyr V12.
How about the ultimate rat rod, a 23 liter Mercedes Chitty Chitty Bang Bang replica, or so Bryce says. Can you imagine how that sounds?
This one caught my eye, because of its historical significance, including the Niedermeyers. My father used to talk about this car, a Phänomobil, because it was made in Zittau, near where my father spent much of his childhood. As you can see, it’s a three wheeler, but rather advanced for the times, with a transverse four driving the front wheels. They first appeared in 1907, and this four is from 1912. And they were quite successful, until the twenties.
Here’s a closer look. Love this little cooling fans!
A more modern three wheeler, the American Davis, from 1947. We just talked about that recently, didn’t we?
EV’s, old, and not quite so old.
The Museum has a pit, from which a number of cars’ undersides can be seen in detail. This Daf shot really shows off its pioneering CVT belt transmission, the mother of all modern CVTs.
If you wonder why Bryce such a committed Rootes Guy, this helps explain it. Here’s his daughter in front of her granddad’s Humber Super Snipe. Now that’s a nice touch. Wish I could show my kid’s my father’s old cars.
Thanks, Bryce, and make sure you check out the rest of them at the Cohort site.
Nice, Bryce!
Thanx Paul I had a feeling youd know more about that Phamobile than I did i could have spent all day there but a little girl wanted to get to her aunts house theres a 10 year old photo in the CCC of her as a baby in front of her great grandfathers Humber.
There is an open day coming up when the public is allowed thru the workshops I plan to return for that I really only scratched the surface and there are many more cars hidden away and hundreds of motor cycles more aeroplanes toys its a great collection and well worth a visit.
Great stuff Bryce, thanks!
Damn, a Sebring-Vanguard CitiCar! That’s one of those odd desires that rises in me every so often.
Can you do a CC on Tempo vehicles, esp. the Hanseat 3 wheeler? It was a similar concept to the Phaenomobile, but ran on a 2cyl 2stroker instead. 2==4 anyone?
Some wonderful photos here.
I don’t dig the Chrysler Airflow grille either, but the lights are remarkable – they look 1950s rather than 1930s.
I notice the full collection of photos includes a Singer Gazelle ( aka posh Hillman Minx).
Any chance Paul you could explore the relationship between this and the 1953 Studebaker ?
I have a 59 Minx you can bet Id shoot any of its relatives Im fairly sure Loewy did designs for Rootes Group in the 50s
great museum. i really like how they placed the cars in ways that make for interesting comparisons of their technology.
good job. I would love to visit.
There hand cranked models of various engine types and valve arrangements scattered around also its a fascinating place and Im going back for the open day they do major restorations there the Tatre77 was rebuilt from a rusty wreck and that Mitchell tourer is like new, many of the cars are as used true curbside classics just preserved in doors in nice surroundings.
Sorry, but Curbside Classics have to be at the curb, or at least in someone’s driveway, if not running on the road. Embalmed mummies evoke no emotion in me. You can find ’em a dime a dozen. The true worth of a car’s life is in running.
Yes, the ‘before’ photos of that Tatra are quite something! It’s been 2yrs since I was last there, but it’s the easiest way I know to lose an entire day just absorbing all the great cars. 🙂 And being a Nissan fan (currently), I’m filled with joy that Southwards must be the only museum in the world to proudly display a 1985 Nissan Bluebird! (next to the original Prince Skyline though for context of course!). Great photos Bryce, much better than mine from my last visit.
They have a 180B near the early Skyline at pres I didnt shoot it Ive spent too many miles driving one to like themThe bluebird is probably having its compulsory headgasket change
I’ve been to a good number of auto museums here in the States but have never encountered a Tatra. Great specimen. Especially the color.
It’s always good to tell a kid all about her Rootes. 😉
If you’re in NZ, also do your best to get to the Wanaka Transport museum http://www.nttmuseumwanaka.co.nz/collection/ I went there about 5 years ago, and found it a treasure trove of unrestored classics, all mixed up with a bunch of old toys in a complete muddle. Couple of pictures to get you interested:
Buick, Caddies
Mixture of old/new.
The added bonus is that Wanaka is one of the most beautiful places in one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
Oh yes, I forgot about Wanaka. I too was there about 5 yrs ago, loved it, despite the eccentric layout. All the decaying old buses/trucks etc outside were a highlight.
If the Beetle was equivalent to a 1930s Golf/Jetta, the Tatra almost looks like the Passat analogue.