Friday, March 22, 2024

Zunndap Janis microcar

 

Following WWII Zundapp offered an array of two wheel motorized vehicles. In about 1955 people started demanding weatherproof transportation. The motorcycle industry began to falter.

Zundapp looked around and settled on Dornier's prototype and named it Janus after the two faced Roman god. It had Isetta style doors and a centrally located 250cc Bella scooter engine. It had a MacPherson strut suspension. The 14hp engine proved inadequate as the top speed was 50mph (80km). 

Production began in June of 1957. It was determined that 15,000 cars was the break even point, but in the first six months only 1731 cars were built. It was found that people weren't keen on watching the landscape from the rear facing back seat.

By 1958 it was obvious the Janis would not succeed and the factory was sold to Bosch. Few examples of the car remain.

               

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