Quiz Archive

What is it ? #146 (UPDATE: II, 1925 Simson-Supra SO touring)

Update II (Jurymember Hans Compter puts questionmarks behind this one. He is producing materilas from which one can read that Simson-Supra never was a make...; we will come back to this asap).
Update: Not as difficult as the last few weeks, while the car is far from being wellknown. No less than 12 senders were very close to the right make of car: Simson... However, this time it was not the year or the type that was "the adder under the grass" (old Dutch expression). But the name of the make. In 1924 under influence of young designer Paul Henze the name was changed into Simson-Supra when the new SO model was introduced (thank you Gerard Lansink for providing back-up info). This name stayed with the marque and was attached to all models until car production was discontinued in 1932.
Eight out of twelve did not step into the trap and produced the right make: Simson-Supra (see also Georgano) Then we want to share the most interesting facts that you produced:
-Carleton Hughes (US)wrote:"A 4 cylinder 2 liter car which briefly claimed the distinction of being(1924-26} the only car make in the world to have a DOHC layout,with 4 valves per cylinder and twin carbs.
-Raul Valkila(Finland) mentions:"....the other (second) one is in Automobil-Museum Bad Oyenhausen.
-Michael Ulrich (Germany) wrote;"Simson-Supra SO Verkehrsmuseum Dresden One of 6 known surviving...'"
-Bart Oosterling:(Netherlands)"...they also made the Luger handgun..."
-Jon Baker (Australia):"...featuring twin overhead camshafts operating four overhead inclined valves per cylinder producing 50-60 bhp and a top speed of 120 km/h. The second variant was a "racer", a two seater that had a reduced length chassis and twin carburettors that helped to achieve a top speed of 135-140 km/h from around 80 bhp."
-many thanks also to Joseph Kubista (Czech Republic): ".....other historical points is that after WWII the factory in Suhl has been producing small two stroke motorcycles and they were very popular in former Czechoslovakia in late 1970's and 1980's. They were imported in pretty big numbers and are very popular even in 21st century especially by teenaged boys. Out of 757 thousands registered motorcycles is SIMSON the third one with 49 000 machines (behind locals Jawa and CZ) in the Czech Republic. The production is running even in those days, apparently not in very big numbers."
But then it was decision time. taking inrto account only the basics:
1. Simson-Supra
2. 1925
3. type SO 8/40
only jurymember Lars Göran Lindgren / Gerard Lansink / Raul Valkila were fully right. Gerard and Raul were almost equal. In the end we decided that Raul Valkila should win becuase of the fact that Raul had the same result despite of 45 years less experience with vintage cars! Congratulations Raul ! A new chance with # 147.... (photo collection Hans Compter) EARLIER TEXT:It is an upper class car from the Continent. Not Italian, not English and not very well known. Sorry for that ;-) The name is connected with weaponry and motorcycles. Just like Ansaldo and the Belgian F.N. it all began with a weapon factory. Car production started before WW I and ended long before WW II. This marque produced a straight eight as well, but this specific example doesn't come close to that. So here we go, tell us 1. the Make 2. the Year 3. the Type. 4. tell us one thing interesting about this marque which we did not know yet. Only the best answer will win the PreWarCar/Roadmap gillet.
Rules:

1. only responses with nice and neatly numbered answers referring to our questions will be eligible 2. send your answer to \n This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it BEFORE Monday, 7 March

3. PLEASE mention in the subject line of your e-mail: # 146

4. include, for in case you win: your shirt SIZE, being S,M, XL and the ADDRESS where we should send the shirt

5. unless otherwise stated there is ONE winner

6. please mention if you were an earlier winner (1,2 or J)

7. THREE time winners automatically become Jury member, but of course there is no obligation in any way

Add comment

Name (required)

E-mail (required)

Website

Refresh

Send

Cancel

JComments

Friday, 04 March 2005