Kings and Cars Part 6 - Wilhelm II of Germany

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

To finish this series of Kings and Cars: a Kaiser! Wilhelm II was the last German Emperor, but also the King of Prussia. He was the grandson of Queen Victoria and reigned from 1888 until 1918.

The oldest illustration we found is himself on a Léon Bollée voiturette, but as it is a cartoon, it is not sure that he actually owned or drove such a machine. The oldest picture, of his first spin in a car, shows what looks like a Germain Daimler of around the turn of the century, which has the significant starting handle in the middle of the radiator.

It is clear he liked big and heavy cars and used them a lot for his transports. In 1905 a picture shows the Kaiser with a big Fiat, described as being a 70 hp. All the occupants wore goggles, so driving at high speed must have been the goal!

In 1907, he used a grand Mercedes to inspect the exercises of the German troops in Westfalia. The model was described as the 'Taunustype mit Doppelphaeton'. Racer Werner had by then become the personal driver of Wilhelm II. La Vie au Grand Air reports that the Germans had expanded the automobile fleet of the army and that the French were much behind... The next destination was Lake Constance to see the Zeppelins.

In a 1908 picture, the transport means was a Mercedes with very large coachwork, a big windscreen for the Kaiser and a third row of seats for the ladies.

He had also been seen with Horch, Pic-Pic and other great car marques. Wilhelm II had an excellent taste for cars. This ends the series 'Kings and Cars', but might any reader have a similar story about his country's own King, Prince, Kaiser, President,... do get in touch with PreWarCar.

With special thanks to Ariejan Bos.

Words by Nick Jonckheere.

Make a comment, ask a question, give your opinion, share additional information or start a discussion by filling in the fields below.