Discover the Veritas SP90 Convertible by Spohn — A Forgotten Classic

Design Oddity - There’s something undeniably magical about the post-war automotive era — a time when imagination met necessity, and boundaries were pushed not just by major manufacturers, but also by daring independents. It was a period of reinvention, where engineers, designers, and racers turned dreams into roaring, rolling metal.

Rendering image of the one-off 1950 Veritas SP90 Convertible by Karosseriebau Hermann Spohn. (Image Reimagined by ChatGPT | Prompt by EKA)

From this electric atmosphere emerged a name that many may not recognize at first glance: Veritas. Yet, behind this unfamiliar badge lies a fascinating story of talent, determination, and one very special machine — the 1950 Veritas SP90 Convertible, bodied by Karosseriebau Hermann Spohn.

The one-off 1950 Veritas SP90 Convertible by Karosseriebau Hermann Spohn. (Picture from: WeirdWheels)

Veritas wasn’t born in a corporate boardroom, but in the hands of three passionate ex-BMW men — Ernst Loof, Georg Meier, and Lorenz Dietrich. Each brought a heavy dose of racing pedigree and engineering experience. Meier had earned fame as the 1939 motorcycle Tourist Trophy champion, while Loof himself had a deep background in BMW’s sport division and Dietrich had worked for the BMW as well. With the war behind them and a country under tight restrictions, they decided to build something different — high-performance cars based on BMW components, rebadged under their new banner, Veritas. 

The one-off Veritas SP90 Convertible by Karosseriebau Hermann Spohn is constructed in 1949 and finished in 1950 for an American Airforce Pilot who was stationed in Germany. (Picture from: TheGentlemanRacer)

At their factory in Hausern, Veritas began crafting race cars that soon made waves across Europe. Between 1948 and 1950, Veritas dominated the track with their two-liter machines, racking up an impressive 30 victories and eight National Championships. These weren’t just cars; they were handcrafted missiles, designed to outperform the competition at every turn. But not content with track glory alone, Veritas turned their sights to the road.

This kind of 1949 Veritas Scorpion Cabriolet is believed to have been returned to Hermann Spohn for modifications into its form as we look today. (Picture from: ClassicCarWeekly)

Well, during the periods, Veritas also introduced a road-going Komet Coupe which was little more than a racing Veritas RS made street legal in 1949. This was soon followed by a coupe, cabriolet, and sports roadster body styles. Among the most intriguing outcomes of this ambition was the SP90 Convertible — a one-off gem that takes the breath away even before you know its story. Based on BMW's engineering heart, including options from the 326 and 328 engines, this specific example was cloaked in a body like no other. The task of shaping its form fell to Karosseriebau Hermann Spohn, a German coachbuilder known for their luxurious work on Maybach chassis. And for the SP90, they brought out all the stops.

The one-off 1950 Veritas SP90 Convertible by Karosseriebau Hermann Spohn in the original 'barn find' condition. (Picture from: RouteVecchie.org)

Looking at it today, the SP90 feels like a car from another planet. Dramatic tailfins rise boldly at the rear, balanced by sweeping fender skirts and a sculpted front grille that seems to be pulled straight from a 1950s dream. It’s widely believed that Spohn drew inspiration from Harley Earl’s revolutionary Le Sabre concept — and it shows. The result is a machine that doesn't just hint at futurism, it screams it.

The steering wheel and dashboard view of the one-off 1950 Veritas SP90 Convertible by Karosseriebau Hermann Spohn in the original 'barn find' condition. (Picture from: RouteVecchie.org)

This particular SP90 was reportedly created for a U.S. Air Force pilot stationed in Germany, a testament to the car’s international appeal even back in its heyday. It later made its way to the United States in 1959, carried across the Atlantic by the brother of R.J. Mrofka, before finding a long-term home in the legendary Lee Hartung Collection. There, it remained untouched for over 50 years — a rare time capsule preserved in its original, unrestored glory, aside from a necessary mechanical rebuild.

Rear side view of the one-off 1950 Veritas SP90 Convertible by Karosseriebau Hermann Spohn in the original 'barn find' condition. (Picture from: TheGentlemanRacer)

When the Hartung Collection was finally auctioned in 2011, the SP90 commanded attention, fetching a remarkable $195,500. Today, it rests quietly at the Wheels Through Time Museum — a proud outsider among a fleet of mostly American classics, yet no less captivating.

The 1950 Veritas SP90 Convertible by Spohn is more than just a car; it’s a bold chapter from a time when creativity was unfettered, and automotive art was born in garages, not boardrooms. Rare, radical, and wrapped in mystery, this car tells the story of what happens when talent, timing, and a touch of rebellion meet the open road. *** [EKA [17032020][14042023] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CLASSICCARWEEKLY | CONCEPTCARZ | THE GENTLEMAN RACER | ROUTEVECCHIE ]

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