Mysterious Taifun - The internet is full of surprises, and every once in a while, it reveals something that sparks both curiosity and wonder. One such discovery came from
a former Twitter or X post by Quirky Rides and an article published by
Hemmings in
June 2018, showcasing a peculiar classic car that had long been forgotten by many. This car was none other than the
Haller Taifun, a one-of-a-kind creation from Germany, crafted in
1952 by
Rudolph Haller, an aircraft and speedboat builder based in Munich.
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| This
was a unique-shaped German custom car named Haller Taifun designed by
Rudolph Haller, an airplane and speedboat builder in Munich, likely was
built based on Porsche 356. (Picture from: ClassicGasolene) |
The story of the Haller Taifun begins with its inspiration, rooted in both aviation and automotive design. As documented in
the 1953 Trend Book Dream Cars,
Haller built this ultrastreamlined sports sedan using components from the
Porsche 356, along with parts from
Volkswagen. Its unusual appearance made it stand out immediately, especially the front end, which resembled a bullet. When we look at photos of the car, we can see a slight resemblance to the
Wikov 35 Kapka, a streamlined car produced by the Czechoslovakian company
Wikov in
1931. However, the
Haller Taifun had a more refined and practical design compared to
the Wikov model, especially for its time.
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| The Haller Taifun is powered by a supercharged 40 hp Porsche's engine and said to be capable of more than 125 mph. (Picture from: Autopuzzles) |
The rear of the car is equally fascinating, with
its fender design embodying the ultimate in 1950s fin styling.
The four exhaust pipes at the back added to its futuristic rocket-like appearance. Inside, the car was as unique as its exterior. According to
SpeedAge magazine in its July 1952 edition, the interior featured a built-in bar and an astonishing number of gauges—nearly 20 of them—spanning across the dashboard. It’s easy to wonder what the driver would do with so many gauges, as they likely served both functional and decorative purposes, creating a cockpit-like feel.
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| The Haller Taifun car's front end seem a kind of a bullet, and also had some slight similarity to the 1931 Wikov 35 'Kapka' streamlined classic car. (Picture from: Auta5p.eu) |
Under the hood, the
Haller Taifun was equipped with
a supercharged 40-horsepower Porsche engine,
capable of reaching speeds over 125 mph. This was quite impressive for a car built in the early 1950s. However, as with many rare and custom cars, the
Haller Taifun eventually disappeared from the public eye. For years, there were no reports or sightings of the car, until it resurfaced in a rather unexpected place—the United States.
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| The Haller Taifun's rear fenders providing the ultimate in the current fin styling with four exhaust pipes provide a rocket-ship effect in the rear. (Picture from: ClassicGasolene) |
By the late 1950s or early 1960s, the
Haller Taifun was reportedly seen on display at
Pappy's Motor Sales on Livernois Avenue in Detroit. The car was used to draw attention to the dealership, with its striking design catching the eye of potential customers. Yet, how this car made its way across the Atlantic remains a mystery.
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| The Haller Taifun seen on display at the Pappy's Motor Sales on Livernois Avenue in Detroit to attract customer's attention in the late 1950s or early 1960s. (Picture from: Customrodder) |
Some believe that post-war Germany saw several coachbuilders creating custom cars to appeal to American soldiers stationed there. It's possible that one such soldier, captivated by the futuristic design of the
Haller Taifun, brought the car back to the U.S. after completing their service. This could explain why the car bears similarities to the
Studebaker -
Buick LeSabre, as the soldier may have been influenced by American automotive styles before bringing this unique vehicle home.
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| The Haller Taifun seen on display at the Pappy's Motor Sales on Livernois Avenue in Detroit to attract customer's attention in the late 1950s or early 1960s. (Picture from: Customrodder) |
Despite the theories, the true fate of the
Haller Taifun remains unknown. For a car this distinctive, it seems unlikely that it would simply vanish without a trace for nearly seventy years. Yet, until further documentation or reports surface, the mystery endures. Could it have been scrapped, or is it hidden away in a private collection, waiting to be rediscovered? The questions remain, and for now, the
Haller Taifun exists only in stories and old photographs, leaving enthusiasts and historians alike to wonder what really happened to this unique piece of automotive history.
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