A Swedish-made scooter

This time we will discuss a scooter made in Sweden, one of the Scandinavian countries. The scooter in question was produced by Monark, a bicycle, moped, and motorcycle manufacturer that has a production base in Varberg, Sweden.

1957 Monark Monarscoot moped uses a German ILO 50cc 2-stroke engine and pedals like a bicycle. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2UNN5o8)

This Swedish manufacturer was founded in 1908 by an industrialist named Birger Svensson. This manufacturer is also known as Cykelfabriken Monark AB and Monark AB. It is estimated that the first motorcycle of this manufacturer rolled out in 1913. But, there is also a mention of its first motorcycle made in 1908 because this manufacturer is also known to produce a lot of motorcycles under various brands before using their own brand.

1961 Monark Monarscoot scooter uses a Husqvarna 50cc 2-stroke engine that had a footrest, kickstart, and with no pedals. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3ej4ixD)

For scooters, the company originally made a moped called Monark Monarscoot. This two-wheeled vehicle was designed by Sixten Sason, also known as the famous SAAB automotive designer. This is one of the moped models that in terms of design has its own characteristics. 

At the beginning of its born in 1957, this two-wheeled vehicle used a German's ILO engine with pedals such as bicycles as well as using the high-wheels like a motorcycle in general.

1964 Monark Monarscoot scooter uses a Husqvarna "Flinta" engine and 10" wheels sized, which also makes it more like the Italian scooter models. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Bc7GeO)

But along with the time of its development, when in 1961 when a new Sweden rules stating that the mopeds were no longer required to have pedals. So the Monark Monarscoot got its footrest and kickstart since then the model deserves to be called as a scooter.

As mentioned above, an early model of Monark Monarscoot production in 1957 that used the ILO engine with pedals (as a moped). Then for the next model (which can be called a scooter) was roled out in 1965-1968 using the Husqvarna "Flinta" engine. For this model, it uses 10'' wheels sized, which also makes it looks like the Italian scooters.

From then on the competitor, Husqvarna, licensed the Monarscoot and marketed it under their own name. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Bc7GeO)

From then on the competitor, Husqvarna, licensed the Monarscoot and marketed it under their own name. Then the use of the engine changed again for the model produced in 1969 which is the final year of production, where it uses the Sach engine.

Although the production of Monarscoot scooters had to end in 1969, due to intense competition in the global motorcycle market at that time, the Swedish manufacturer continued to produce motorcycles, especially sport motorcycles, until the manufacturer actually stopped producing in 1975.😭

And if the article above is still considered inadequate or inaccurate, or if you have additional information related to this marque, please don't hesitate to let us know via the comments column below this article.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CYBERMOTORCYCLE.COM | RETRORAMBLING | WIKIPEDIA | OPENISO.ORG | CLASSICMOTOR.SE | AUCTIONET.COM | KLARAVIK.ES | AUTOCART.BIZ]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

An extraordinary aerodynamic performance of the Schlörwagen

In the automotive world, there are a lot of coefficient numbers that are needed when the manufacturer or whoever is engineering a vehicle. One of them is the drag coefficient, which is a measure of how efficiently a vehicle moves through the air. When viewed from this drag coefficient number, it turns out that the cars that exist today can not beat the drag coefficient numbers of a 1938 experimental vehicle named Schlörwagen, or known as the nickname "Göttinger Egg" or "Pillbug". 

The Schlörwagen was nearly 7 feet wide, mostly due to its body panels that covered the front wheels. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/30LTW56)

This is a hybrid vehicle designed by Karl Schlör. This car was made as an experimental vehicle, which was designed very aerodynamically with a unique shape that rounded in front and then tapers to the back. Seem like, it is intentionally done so that the car gets a minimum coefficient of drag.

This car's story started, when Karl Schlör, a German engineer who worked for Munich-based Krauss Maffei, proposed a very low drag coefficient body in early 1936. Under his supervision at the Aerodynamic Research Institute (Aerodynamischen Versuchsanstalt, or AVA) in German-occupied Riga, a model was later built. The model has then carried out a test in a wind tunnel and produced a very low drag coefficient of 0.113.

The car was designed by German engineer Karl Schlör, who worked at the Aerodynamic Research Institute (Aerodynamischen Versuchsanstalt, or AVA) in German-occupied Riga. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/30LTW56)

The next car model was made in full scale built on the Mercedes-Benz 170H chassis using a rear-mounted 38-horsepower engine. The car's body is made of aluminum which was built by Ludewig Brothers of Essen. Subsequent tests of this full-scale car model showed a slightly higher drag coefficient but still in an impressive number of 0.186.

1942, engineers took a 130-horsepower Russian aircraft motor and bolted it to the back of the car for some test runs. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/30LTW56)

The teardrop-shaped car had flush-fitting windows with curved windows and a closed-floor. Furthermore, the car has a length of about 4.33 meters, 1.48 meters high, 2.10 meters wide, and a wheelbase of 2.60 meters. Although the body was built using aluminum, it was about 250 kg heavier than that of the Mercedes 170H. It was also mentioned due to the aerodynamic shape and its rear-mounted engine far back center of gravity affected the driving safety of the Schlörwagens and made them very vulnerable to crosswinds.

The Schlörwagen, like other aerodynamically-designed cars of the era, took the shape of an airplane wing or teardrop. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/30LTW56)

In a test drive with a production vehicle Mercedes 170H as a comparison, the Schlörwagen was able to run up to a top speed of 135 kph or 20 kph faster than the Mercedes; while the fuel consumption is 8 liters per 100 kilometers or 20 and 40 percent less than the reference vehicles. According to Karl Schlör, the vehicle could reach speeds of 146 kph.

The DLR made a 1:5 scaled model using the original plans and ran it through a wind tunnel to celebrate its 75th anniversary. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/30LTW56)

The experimental car was first introduced to the public at the 1939 Berlin Auto Show and was never mass-produced. Although this experimental car is capable of carrying 7 people in the cabin that is less comfortable, maybe this is one of the reasons why the car was never mass-produced despite being hampered the onset of World War 2.

The Schlörwagen could fit up to seven passengers in its less-comfortable cabin. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/30LTW56)

During the war, the experimental activities of the car were unpublished and almost forgotten. And in 1942, engineers conducted an experiment by attaching a Soviet-captured aircraft engine to the car body. If initially, they expect a result that can provide a breakthrough performance from this awkward and strange creation. However, after several rounds of test tracks in Göttingen. But a 130 horsepower additional power from aircraft engines did not work.

The Schlörwagen was first introduced to the public at the 1939 Berlin Auto Show. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/30LTW56)

After that, the only example of Schlörwagen was kept in a run-down building near Göttingen, in the condition that the chair and wheels were removed. Once, the British Military Administration eventually towed it away somewhere, and it hasn't been seen since. One theory says the car was sent to England, but there is also a mention of the possibility because the body was badly damaged and then scrapped.

And in 2014, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) conducted a retest in a wind tunnel of a model on a scale of 1: 5 based on original images of the Schlörwagen, to see how it performed. The results were amazing, they found that air clung tightly to the vehicle, without causing stalls or turbulence that would slow it down. One of the original drawings kept in the DLR archives in the scale 1:5 is on display in the PS Speicher transport museum in Einbeck. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WIKIPEDIA | WIRED]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

The misunderstood Isard scooter

If we talk about the scooter from the beginning to this day certainly it never ended. Due to this two-wheeled vehicle that started from a very simple form (two wheels and a plank) which then developed in such a way that it was incarnated in various forms as it is today (but still maintained its distinctive shape) and has become one of the modes of transportation that have many users throughout the world to this day.

The Rieju Isard scooters are assumed unsuccessful in the market so that its production was stopped in 1960. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2UGTLEE)

In the heyday of scooters back in the 1950s to 1960s, it was countless how many manufacturers tried their luck to be a success and reaping fortune by producing scooters. Apparently, it seems like they were all inspired by the success stories of the Italian manufacturer duo, Piaggio, and Innocenti who succeeded in bringing the scooters to the whole world. So it can't be denied if the Italian ​​scooter success stories also spread quickly to Spain. 

The Rieju Isard scooter looks so tempting with an appearance almost 'full cover body,' and high-wheels posture. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3d1fiy5)

Noted a number of Spanish manufacturing companies also had produced scooters. One of them is Rieju, the mopeds and motorcycles manufacturers that has a production base in Figueres, Spain. This Spaniard motorcycle manufacturer was founded by two young businessmen, Luis Riera Carré and Jaime Juanola Farres in 1934. They began their entrepreneurial adventure by manufacturing bicycle accessories. They fused their names together to create the RIEJU brand name (RIEra+JUanola).

The Rieju Isard scooter uses 50 and 125cc AMC air-cooled engines. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2B7pGHm)

They began to purchase property to construct a factory, but the Spanish Civil War interrupted their plans. After the hard times were over, the Figueres-based returned to its original habitat by making many motorcycle models. Until one day they heard of the success story of the Italian scooter maker duo. So then they decided to try their luck at gaining a big-profit by making a scooter.

The Rieju Isard scooter shape looks like a motorcycle-scooter fusion. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2B7pGHm)

However, this Figueres-based manufacturer did not adopt the reference for its scooter products from Italy but prefer to France. At that time the average French-made scooters had a slightly different shape from the Italian scooters. Where the French scooters use the high wheel posture as it is commonly used by motorbikes in general so that its shape looks like a motorcycle-scooter fusion.

In 1956, Rieju worked on the development of a scooter, by using 50 and 125cc AMC engines. The design was based on the French Sulky high-wheel scooter. In 1958, Rieju introduced its commercial version of the scooter project under the name Rieju Isard, a motorcycle-scooter fusion with a very unique look.

1957 Rieju Isard 125cc (right) posed along with 1955 Derbi Masculino 125cc (left). (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Y47w2i)

The introduction of a bold and daring look, combined with the ambition to introduce a perfect finished project to the market. In fact, this model nearly drove the company to fail, since it was never successful in the commercial market, and the company made the decision to cease the scooter production in 1960 with very few units sold. Apparently, the low mechanical accessibility and its high price were the main reasons for its low market demands.

1957 Rieju Isard 125cc attached with a sidecar. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3d3WVbR)

It is believed that this scooter population is very small, making it one of the rare scooters that are sought after by collectors. Although there is no longer Rieju Isard scooter on its production list, this Spanish brand continues to produce motorbikes to this day, especially the sportbikes, and also develops electric-powered motorcycles.

And if the article above is still considered inadequate or inaccurate, or if you have additional information related to this marque, please don't hesitate to let us know via the comments column below this article.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | RIEJU | CYBERMOTORCYCLE | BORINOSMALLORCA | WIKIPEDIA | DERNY]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

Wimille streamlined car of the 1940s

Nobody doubts that Jean-Pierre Wimille was one of the greatest racing drivers. This great French racing driver should have been the Formula 1 world champion. He who since he was young really loved the automotive world and began sketching four-wheeled vehicle design since the 1930s. His racing career began at the French Grand Prix in 1930 by driving the Bugatti racing cars, his dream vehicle until 10 years later. 

1946 Wimille Prototype JPW No. 1 designed by Philippe Charbonneaux to specifications laid out by race driver Jean-Pierre Wimille. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3fkMdPt)

During the Second World War, Wimille began to think about building a very modern car. A streamlined body was designed with a panoramic windscreen, integrated headlights, independent wheels and electrical control gear box. Three versions were already planned, a 70hp Grand Tourisme; the Sport, with a 100hp V6 1,500cm3 engine; and a 220hp racing version expected to reach speeds of almost 300km/h. This was how the Wimille GT came into being on paper in 1943.

Rear three quarter view of 1946 Wimille Prototype JPW No. 1 uses a 56hp Citroën Traction engine with streamlined bodywork built by Henri Chapron. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2UC2pnM)

1946, the first appearance of the Wimille 01 prototype was an immediate success. The car’s shape and design was revolutionary. Due to lack of time, the V6 engine planned was replaced by a Citroën Traction engine, which made it possible to conduct initial tests over long distances. The prototype was made in 1945 and presented at the auto show at the Grand Palais in Paris in October 1946.

1948 Wimille Prototype JPW No. 2 with twin inset headlamps, and then restyled with a central "cyclops" headlamp. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2YpUXgB)

The 1946 Wimille Prototype No. 1 was bodied in Paris by Henri Chapron to Wimille's ideas, didn't much resemble anything that came before it. His concept had a tubular chassis, an aerodynamic body, 3 front seats, central steering, a rear engine, a semi-automatic gearbox, and a panoramic windscreen. The first prototype used a 56hp Citroën engine though Wimille had wanted to use a V6 engine.

1948 Wimille Prototype JPW No. 2 uses an 2,158cc, 8-cylinder, V-shaped Ford engine. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2YpUXgB)

In parallel, Jean-Pierre Wimille pursued his driving career, taking Alfa Romeos to a string of victories. But he never stopped thinking about his (car of tomorrow). To adapt his idea for a revolutionary car to the constraints of production, Jean-Pierre Wimille signed a contract with Ford France.

The restyled of Wimille Prototype JPW No. 2 in 1949 with a central "cyclops" headlamp. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2BSNBuk)

The 2nd prototype was redesigned by industrial designer Philippe Charbonneaux at least attempted to improve visibility to the rear. And the new prototype was fitted with the V8 engine used for Ford Vedettes. At the 1948 auto show, Ford presented two (Wimille) cars.

1949 Wimille Prototype JPW No. 3 which was driven for many years by the Philippe Charbonneaux's son. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2zopvGX)

The amazing car sparked immediate interest, and the model was on the brink of being produced and sold. Later, the Wimille Prototype No. 2 has restyled with a central 'cyclops' headlamp.

1949 Wimille Prototype JPW No. 3 was kept by Cité de l'Automobile in Mulhouse. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3hdEBjE)

But fate was to decide otherwise. On 28 January 1949, Jean-Pierre Wimille was killed at the wheel of his Simca-Gordini at the trials for the Buenos Aires Grand Prix. It was a terrible blow: with the great driver gone, the revolutionary car found itself orphaned, and in the same year Ford France withdrew from the project. The two Wimilles made their last appearance at the 1950 auto show, having clocked up 45,000 kilometers.

During his live, some sources speak about a production of four prototypes, others of eight. And today, at least three Wimille prototypes still exist today. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | VELOCETODAY | RETROMOBILE | CARSTYLING.RU]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

This 'Dunkley' was not a baby stroller

You must have never seen and heard of a Dunkley scooter before, like We either. This scooter was made by a British company in the pre-war period, known as a baby stroller maker. And after the 2nd World War ended, the company made a transition by following the trend to make small motorbikes, mopeds, and scooters. Uniquely, the Dunkley scooter has some very unusual lines, as if it was made out of all flat panels.

1959 Dunkley Popular scooter made by the famous British baby stroller maker. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2XWYGTN)

At the time this odd scooter went on sale in 1959, in England itself also produced many brands and types of scooters. Whereas in the global market many manufacturers at almost the same time trying to get a large market share, while the Piaggio's Vespa and Innocenti's Lambretta scooters being dominated the world's scooter market in that time. So it's not surprising they all failed in the market. 

1959 Dunkley Popular scooter has some very unusual lines as if it was made out of all flat panels. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2XWYGTN)

The British manufacturer is estimated to have made more than a thousand units of scooters during its production period (manufactured for one year) and is marketed limited in mainland Europe and a little to America. But it is estimated that not many can survive at this time.

Uniquely, this strange scooter is named Dunkley Popular, which is driven by a 50cc four-stroke engine that is capable of producing around 20hp of power and coupled with a two-speed transmission which is operated through the handlebars. So it is estimated to be able to carry the scooter running up to a top speed of around 30mph.

1959 Dunkley Popular scooter uses a 50cc four-stroke engine coupled with a 2-speed transmission system. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2XWYGTN)

If you look at the style of the Dunkley Popular scooter look similar to the German scooters. The British manufacturer seems to be linked to Mercury Industries, a German manufacturer who in 1956 made a scooter that had a similar shape, the Mercury Hermes Scooter. And the Mercury scooter is a copy of the German Meister Solo Roller that made a year earlier. 

1955 Meister M45 Solo Roller inspiring style sources of the Brit's Dunkley Popular scooter. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2XYkC0O)

So it is not surprising, when juxtaposed with Vespa'59 for example it looks like the Dunkley scooter is less prestigious because of its appearance that is too old. Maybe that's why this scooter was never sold well at that time.

1959 Dunkley Popular scooter is estimated able to run up to a top speed of around 30mph. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2XWYGTN)

But now, the conditions may be a little different and it is estimated that the Dunkley scooter price will skyrocket because it is a rare item and is rarely found for sale in the near future. And we agreed, for a scooter collector who might have a garage full of Italian and German scooters, this one could have a serious appeal and certainly not a difficult case to spend some money to get it.

1959 Dunkley Popular scooter is a rare item now and is rarely found for sale in the near future. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2XWYGTN)

And if the article above is still considered inadequate or inaccurate, or if you have additional information related to this marque, please don't hesitate to let us know via the comments column below this article.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ONLINE BICYCLE MUSEUM | BRING A TRAILER]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.