Tag: 50s

  • Outgrew your Playmobil toys? How about a Fuldmobil from Elektromaschinenbau Fulda?

    Outgrew your Playmobil toys? How about a Fuldmobil from Elektromaschinenbau Fulda?

    Behold the car that might or might not have created the bubble car concept! This is, as you might guess, a 1950s German contraption, launched in the hard times after WWII.

  • Rare British Sport Car: Swallow Doretti

    Rare British Sport Car: Swallow Doretti

    This little beauty is supposedly one of 263 made and uses Triumph TR-2 mechanicals with a bespoke, mostly aluminum, body and steel frame. We think that’s a winner, especially given the looks, which seems to take bits from early Ferraris and early Healeys. Plus, anyone who knows Jaguar’s origins would be excited about the Swallow…

  • Potential Kabinenroller Deal: 1955 Messerschmitt KR200

    Potential Kabinenroller Deal: 1955 Messerschmitt KR200

    The Bruce Weiner microcar museum auction, in 2013, set a high bar for microcar prices, as some of the best example of the rarest and most desirable among the breed went up for sale. It seems that Isettas and Messerchmitts have kept fairly high prices ever since, so this Messy will be a deal if the…

  • 1958 Singer Gazelle with Datsun Power

    1958 Singer Gazelle with Datsun Power

    The Singer Gazelle is a rare beast here in the USA, and is a close relative to the Hillman Minx. That means it was originally powered by a 1.5L four cylinder shared with a number of other (now mostly obscure) British cars. This one, however, has been upgraded to Datsun B-210 power, which means something…

  • Rat Rod 1954 Studebaker 3R5 on 1979 Chevy Dually Frame

    Rat Rod 1954 Studebaker 3R5 on 1979 Chevy Dually Frame

    Are you nostalgic for Studebaker pickups, but they just aren’t quite long enough for you? Try this homemade oddity on for size!

  • DKW F94U Sonderklasse Universal

    DKW F94U Sonderklasse Universal

      Here we have a very rare (in the US, especially) little wagon, which once served as a sensible family car in postwar Germany and was part of the group that would eventually become Audi.

  • L28 Powered 1955 Rambler Wagon

    L28 Powered 1955 Rambler Wagon

    Here’s an odd swap: A 1955 Nash Rambler wagon with a Nissan/Datsun L28 inline six. While the combination of brands is genuinely odd, this Nash would have had an I6 from the factory; so we assume this was a relatively easy fit.  Good news is this L28 should put out nearly twice the power of…

  • Kristi KT3 Snowcat with Needs

    Kristi KT3 Snowcat with Needs

    Today’s feature is a rare Kristi KT3 Snowcat in non-running, but essentially complete, condition.  These cool little critters were made in the 1950s and 60s and featured Volkswagen engines, as well as hydraulic leveling systems. The Kristi company built these in Denver, Colorado, which makes sense.  This one found its way south to New Mexico,…

  • Morris Minor Clown Car

    Morris Minor Clown Car

    No, it doesn’t seem like this one has been used for clown stuffing!  Rather, this car has been dolled up with a clown theme, complete with parade capability. Supposedly, this is now witted with a 1275cc engine and front disc brakes; but those aren’t the reasons you’re interested in this one.  More to the point,…

  • 1950s Rapida – Homemade Microcar or Pedal Car?

    1950s Rapida – Homemade Microcar or Pedal Car?

    This is being touted as a one-off microcar, but it’s not clear to use it isn’t a pedal car.  Given the wheels, it might be considered the first cyclekart?? The seller seems to know little about the car, and there is no mention of mechanical bits.  The interior shot below might even reveal it’s a…