Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Rare microcars a window to Europe's history

Transportation through the crowded, war-torn streets of Europe during World War II made the size of microcars a need. Such inexpensive autos with engines smaller than 750 cubic centimeters and a length of less than 10 feet have been perfect for cash-strapped families to navigate via densely populated cities. Collectors treasure microcars more for their style now, accounts the new York Times. Thus, the small European cars are popular – and uncommon – gems in museums and on the collectors’ circuit.

Obtain the microcar with a design in the future and has sensible features

In the 1940s and 1950s, Americans were steered toward large automobiles by automotive marketing. The opposite was true for Europe, and also the presence of microcars is a perfect example. “These vehicles have been a response to desperate conditions,” microcar historian Peter Svilans told the Times. The front of the automobile of the Italian Isetta had egg shaped doors for entry while the German Messerschmitt KR-175 had three wheels originally. These design touches impressed most auto enthusiasts around. Near Atlanta you can visit the Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum. This museum shows just how amazing these microcars really are.

Weiner has been collecting microcars since 1991. Based on the Times, he had a hard time finding the microcars. He said they are hard to find.

“With microcars, you don’t just show up with a wad of money and say sell it to me,” he said. “In Europe, they mean something more. It is like you showing up and asking me to sell my dad’s watch.”

Don’t handle a microcar like a plaything

It’s true that microcars look like they’re just children’s playthings however larger. This isn’t at all true though. The French Rovin Z-4 is really a good example of how much power these vehicles have as they can go at highway speeds. They do not have any safety features in them though, making them dangerous. A microcar has hardly any crumple zone. If you crashed with the automobile, the collision would trigger practically all of the force to be transferred to the driver’s body.

A better economy makes the microcar perish

Within the mid 20th century, Europe had lots of monetary issues. Once these troubles had been fixed, there had been more of a vehicle mass production. By the early 1960s, safer, more powerful Volkswagen, Renault and Fiat autos began to appear in greater numbers. Microcars ended up being a “small wonder” that perished off. Microcars only exist anymore due to museums. The Messerschmitt is one of these. You will find only 50 KR-175s that even exist anymore.

Articles cited

New York Times

nytimes.com/2010/10/14/automobiles/autospecial2/14MICRO.html



No comments: