United Methodist Men's Group of Bad Axe, Michigan

United Methodist Men's Group of Bad Axe, Michigan

During our UMM Men's Group Breakfast Program on October 14, 2007,
Robin Zurek presented a slide show presentation on
microcars and other unique and rare vehicles.
Here are some examples.
At the bottom of the page are addresses to the Museums where these vehicles are located
and web site links so you can see more pictures if you are interested.

This is a One of a Kind Reproduction of a 1952 Citroen Cogolin.
These were originally produced in France to solve a problem for fire and rescue vehicles.
Vehicles would go up long narrow mountain roads and not be able to turn around.
So, they would have to backup sometimes for several miles in reverse with a man and a flashlight.
They solved this problem basically by welding 2 front halves of a vehicle together.
There are 2 engines and 2 transmissions. To go in the opposite direction,
you would shut off the engine, hop out of the vehicle, go around to the opposite side,
start up that enging and drive in the opposite direction.
While we were there, the owner took this vehicle for a drive in Nashville, TN.
It really turns heads when you see this vehicle going down the road.
Especially, if you are behind it, looking at the front of a vehicle doing in the opposite direction.

Klein Goggmobile Transporter Pickup (rarest style)
with Coca-Cola Graphics.
Klein Goggmobile Transporters - Germany - 13 HP
1955-64 - 3665 produced - 17 known left.

1950 Reyonnah - 8.5 HP - seats 2 people
The front raises up and the tires fold
in to save parking space.
1951 Hoffman - 1 cylinder - 6.5 HP
Rear wheel steering - Unstable
Only 1 made

1937 Datsun Konut
Datsun got it's name by combining the originators
initials and son/sun for the small sized car (son of DAT)
1926 Hanomag 2/10 PS - Germany - 1 cyl
Nicknamed Kommissbrot which means Mess Hall Loaf
because it looks like a loaf of military issued bread

BMW Isetta 300 - Germany - 1955-62
Isettas were made in several countries
It came about for the need for cheap transportation
after WWII. It was very successful.
10" wheels - 800 pounds - reliable.
1956 Zundapp Janus 250 - Germany - 50 MPH
Zundapp is best known for their motorcycles
The name Janus was chosen after the Roman
God who faced in 2 directions.
It is a mid-engine and the rear seat faces the rear.

1932 Martin Martinette - USA
One of a Kind!
1928 Martin Aerodynamic - USA - 107 MPH
One of a Kind!

1932 Helicron - France - Propeller Driven
Discovered in a barn in France in 2000 and it
was placed there by the original owner.
It steers with the rear wheels.
1929 Wind Wagon - USA - 60 MPH
The magazine Boy Mechanic published designs on
how a boy could build a wind wagon.
This was built by a 15 year old with scrap parts.

1934 McQuay-Norris Streamliner - USA - Only 6 made.
This was a promotional and test vehicle for a
company that produced car parts. This vehicle had
MANY gauges to test the various parts.
1948 Davis - USA - 116 MPH
15.5" long which is massive for a 3 wheeled car.
It has one wide bench seat which can hold 4 people.
It never went into production - only 16 made.

1965 Peel P50 - Isle of Man - approx. 50 made
This is the worlds smallest car at 4'2".
There is no reverse but a handle that you can
lift the rear and move it where you want it.
1980 Ligier JS4 - France - 35 MPH
Built by Guy Ligier who was a racing driver
and rugby player. This company still produces
micro cars in France today.

1960 Renault 4CV - France
Very popular - over 1,000,000 produced
10'8" long - 4'6" wide - 4'4" high
Renault is still in business today.
1957 Messerschmitt - Germany - 25,000 made.
One of the most successful micro cars. Half the cost
of a VW. If you were brave enough, this car would
go faster in reverse because of better aerodynamics.

1945 Mochet Velocar - France
Made in pedal version where driver and passenger
pedaled. Engine version was a 2 HP - 100cc
21 MPH - 650 produced.
1985 McLean Wheel - USA - 5 HP
Monowheel (you sit in the middle of the wheel)
Keeps upright at 15 MPH+ by gyroscopic effect.
Could go 40 MPH - few produced.

Here is the information on the Car Museums:

Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum
Owned by the owner of Double Bubble Gum
50 Miles East of Atlanta
2950 Eatonton Rd.
Madison, GA 30650
No phone # listed
Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum
Lane Motor Museum
This one also has a few Larger Cars, Race Cars,
Military Vehicles and Motorcycles
702 Murfreesboro Pike
Nashville, TN 37210
615-742-7445
Lane Auto Museum

To Email Robin Zurek (the Webmaster)
and the Men's Group
badaxe227@sbcglobal.net First United Methodist Church
of Bad Axe - Men's Group First United Methodist Church
of Bad Axe - Home Page

Klein Goggmobile Transporter Pickup (rarest style) with Coca-Cola Graphics.	Klein Goggmobile Transporters - Germany - 13 HP 1955-64 - 3665 produced - 17 known left.
1950 Reyonnah - 8.5 HP - seats 2 people The front raises up and the tires fold in to save parking space.	1951 Hoffman - 1 cylinder - 6.5 HP Rear wheel steering - Unstable Only 1 made
1937 Datsun Konut Datsun got it's name by combining the originators initials and son/sun for the small sized car (son of DAT)	1926 Hanomag 2/10 PS - Germany - 1 cyl Nicknamed Kommissbrot which means Mess Hall Loaf because it looks like a loaf of military issued bread
BMW Isetta 300 - Germany - 1955-62 Isettas were made in several countries It came about for the need for cheap transportation after WWII. It was very successful. 10" wheels - 800 pounds - reliable.	1956 Zundapp Janus 250 - Germany - 50 MPH Zundapp is best known for their motorcycles The name Janus was chosen after the Roman God who faced in 2 directions. It is a mid-engine and the rear seat faces the rear.
1932 Martin Martinette - USA One of a Kind!	1928 Martin Aerodynamic - USA - 107 MPH One of a Kind!
1932 Helicron - France - Propeller Driven Discovered in a barn in France in 2000 and it was placed there by the original owner. It steers with the rear wheels.	1929 Wind Wagon - USA - 60 MPH The magazine Boy Mechanic published designs on how a boy could build a wind wagon. This was built by a 15 year old with scrap parts.
1934 McQuay-Norris Streamliner - USA - Only 6 made. This was a promotional and test vehicle for a company that produced car parts. This vehicle had MANY gauges to test the various parts.	1948 Davis - USA - 116 MPH 15.5" long which is massive for a 3 wheeled car. It has one wide bench seat which can hold 4 people. It never went into production - only 16 made.
1965 Peel P50 - Isle of Man - approx. 50 made This is the worlds smallest car at 4'2". There is no reverse but a handle that you can lift the rear and move it where you want it.	1980 Ligier JS4 - France - 35 MPH Built by Guy Ligier who was a racing driver and rugby player. This company still produces micro cars in France today.
1960 Renault 4CV - France Very popular - over 1,000,000 produced 10'8" long - 4'6" wide - 4'4" high Renault is still in business today.	1957 Messerschmitt - Germany - 25,000 made. One of the most successful micro cars. Half the cost of a VW. If you were brave enough, this car would go faster in reverse because of better aerodynamics.
1945 Mochet Velocar - France Made in pedal version where driver and passenger pedaled. Engine version was a 2 HP - 100cc 21 MPH - 650 produced.	1985 McLean Wheel - USA - 5 HP Monowheel (you sit in the middle of the wheel) Keeps upright at 15 MPH+ by gyroscopic effect. Could go 40 MPH - few produced.