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A true hero of labour, Opel 1.3l, 1934
Visitor Volker (full name known with editor) writes:
Over the last years I was wondering what happened to the cars which were used in the wartime, left somewhere and reused by new owners. Especially in Germany numerous cars were taken by the military, sprayed military grey, and driven as long as possible. A number of high quality coachbuilders earned their living at the end and after the war by transforming normal and exclusive cars into functional cars for daily life, such as small lorries, transporters etc. A not uncommon way was, to build a circular saw on the back of the car, and then driving around from house to house offering the service to cut wood for the fire. The most prominent example of these cars is the Maybach conversion now hold in the collection at Sinsheim in Germany.
Following the last discussion about converting limousines into tourer bodies etc. we should also state, that today next to none original war or early postwar conversion is left. If one is found, it is usually cut down to build a phantasy speedster.
Now an original car has emerged, which has been converted in the wartime into a circular saw. the saw has been moved by a stationary engine from DEUTZ. This is currently lacking, but everything else is preserved in total original condition. It is an 1934 OPEL 1.3 liter and it worked in East Germany, the former GDR until 1989! Then it was stored and now unearthed. The car even holds the original signs as "Arbeitsmaschine" = working machine, which allowed driving without official number plate, insurance and MoT, but not more than 20km/h. The car will be preserved as is, the engine will me made running (it is still turning easily) and a DEUTZ water vaporiser will be refitted to the frame. Maybe this could be a discussion point and thread on the magazine page asking about opinions and especially about further examples.
Published:
Sunday June 9th, 2013
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Comments
Unknown
11 June 2013, 19:48
Unknown
11 June 2013, 18:12
Nigel,
I assume it is the Austin Seven (which is very nice)....
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I assume it is the Austin Seven (which is very nice)....
Unknown
11 June 2013, 05:49
Volker,
I now better understand your point and your plans for this unique vehicle are admirable. My own special was once chopped about to fulfil a role as a tractor and I have a photograph, probably taken during the last war, of it drawing a hay cutter but, this second incarnation will remain part of its history - it’s now moving on to pastures new; so to speak.
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I now better understand your point and your plans for this unique vehicle are admirable. My own special was once chopped about to fulfil a role as a tractor and I have a photograph, probably taken during the last war, of it drawing a hay cutter but, this second incarnation will remain part of its history - it’s now moving on to pastures new; so to speak.
Unknown
10 June 2013, 14:56
The original conversion was done long in the past, in very difficult times to enable someone to scratch a living, and keep their family alive, a very different thing from some wealthy drone chopping a decent car up just to pimp it up so they can pose round at some "must-be-seen-at" event.
The numbers of these vanity projects for sale with minimal mileage ( if any) since being expensively completed, suggests they are merely a fleeting caprice until some other fancy takes it's place.
Nobody is suggesting that the original body should be restored, just that it should be preserved "as is' rather than destroyed for no bette reason other than to massage someone's ego?
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The numbers of these vanity projects for sale with minimal mileage ( if any) since being expensively completed, suggests they are merely a fleeting caprice until some other fancy takes it's place.
Nobody is suggesting that the original body should be restored, just that it should be preserved "as is' rather than destroyed for no bette reason other than to massage someone's ego?
Unknown
10 June 2013, 09:57
Nigel,
good point, but whereas any product of "racy hedonism" is usually kept and restored, any product of "Protestant work ethic" is not kept. That is my point, and you must be honest, nobody would throw this "saw-special" away to recreate the four-door closed car it was, but would use it as a base for an open fancy special (I would also do it!) And then it is just another special without any history and we again have lost a car which shows itself as a product of history.
thats why i believe we have to be careful with these types of specials as we are lossing these types. I have nothing against turning unrestorable fragments into fun cars.
Thats why
Read more
good point, but whereas any product of "racy hedonism" is usually kept and restored, any product of "Protestant work ethic" is not kept. That is my point, and you must be honest, nobody would throw this "saw-special" away to recreate the four-door closed car it was, but would use it as a base for an open fancy special (I would also do it!) And then it is just another special without any history and we again have lost a car which shows itself as a product of history.
thats why i believe we have to be careful with these types of specials as we are lossing these types. I have nothing against turning unrestorable fragments into fun cars.
Thats why
Unknown
10 June 2013, 08:02
Look out! Here comes the Evil Body Snatcher again!
I don’t doubt the historical importance of Volker’s find and nothing delights me more than when these vehicles come to light but, your correspondent seems to be at odds with himself. Is he really saying that if you find a saloon and cut it down to make a self-propelled circular saw instead of a ‘phantasy speedster’, then you’re to be applauded?
If the Opel hadn’t subscribed to the Protestant work ethic but rather had smacked of racy hedonism, would Volker have closed the doors and walked away? I think not.
I’ve become slightly bored with throw-away lines like ‘it is usually cut down to build a phantasy speedster’ and the sniping at the special builder. What is Volker’s find if it’s not a special? Its connection with honest labour doesn’t lift its conversion to the moral high ground – someone has chopped a saloon; the very thing that I’m led to believe the vox pop rails against.
So, can the detractors of the special builder come up with some meaningful evidence to support their view that the vintage car population is being decimated by these evil body snatchers?
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I don’t doubt the historical importance of Volker’s find and nothing delights me more than when these vehicles come to light but, your correspondent seems to be at odds with himself. Is he really saying that if you find a saloon and cut it down to make a self-propelled circular saw instead of a ‘phantasy speedster’, then you’re to be applauded?
If the Opel hadn’t subscribed to the Protestant work ethic but rather had smacked of racy hedonism, would Volker have closed the doors and walked away? I think not.
I’ve become slightly bored with throw-away lines like ‘it is usually cut down to build a phantasy speedster’ and the sniping at the special builder. What is Volker’s find if it’s not a special? Its connection with honest labour doesn’t lift its conversion to the moral high ground – someone has chopped a saloon; the very thing that I’m led to believe the vox pop rails against.
So, can the detractors of the special builder come up with some meaningful evidence to support their view that the vintage car population is being decimated by these evil body snatchers?
Unknown
10 June 2013, 07:08
Looks like there is some wonderful original art-deco upholstery on the inside of the right hand door.
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Unknown
10 June 2013, 05:29
In the Kassel Schlumpf exobition. Is a 1932 Bugatti T46 Ambulance conversion. In beatiful orginal state. You have only a few weeks to visit this traser room.
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Thank you; the A7 'Sunita' is one I built earlier (to coin a phrase) but the special I refer to here is one based on a Hillman 14. This had gradually become derelict over a period of nearly 70 years before I came across it and all that was left was the chassis, running gear and part of the scuttle. There was no question about it; a 'phantasy special' it had to be!
All the best,
Nigel