PEOPLE’S CAR

Opunake Times, 31 March 1939, Page 4

PEOPLE’S CAR

BIG GERMAN FACTORY. LONGTERM PURCHASING

Official details in Germany of the Government-sponsored “ear for the people,’ - to which wide publicity has been given, are now available. A huge plant is in course of erection at Fallersleben. When completed it will bo the largest automobile factory in Europe, and onei of the largest in the world. Production to full capacity

is not anticipated until 19*15 when it is ! expected that the annual production will bo in the region of 1,500,000 units The motive power is a four-cylinder engine developing 21 b.h.p. It is aircooled, and is mounted in the rear of I,h ( ; vhasis. A special feature is the oil-cooling system, which makes it possible for the “Volkswagen' to lie driven at top speed for long periods without damage to the eninne This feature has been adopted owing to lh sustained high speed now possible on German motor roads. The transmis-

sion consists of four forward speeds and the petrol tank holds 5> gallons, sufficient for 230 miles at 42 m.p.g.

Three body types will bo avuiiab-o, Coupe, cabriolet, and tourer. The mud guards are strongly coustrm ted and, if necessary after damage, can easily be replaced. The complete rearmounted engine and gearbox can be removed in ten minutes —thus minimising cost of replacement and repairs. Tho 960 c.t. engine develops its

peak power at 3600 r.p.m. On first gear, the car, it is. stated, will climb a l-in-3 gradient at 13 m.p.b.; with sec.ond gear engaged it will ascend a 1-in 5i gradient at 26i m.p.h.; while a 1-inlO hill can be climbed on third gear at 42.6 m.p.h. A steady 60 to 65 m.p.h. can be maintained on top gear on the autobahn.

The “Volkswagen’ 1 ' is constructed to the design of Dr. I. Porsche, who was responsible for the Auto-Union racing car. For his services to the German motor industry, Dr. Porsche was recently awarded the German national prize for 1938. The low price at which the car is to bo made available to the German people has been made possible by clever and simple design, large-scale production, and the absence of merchandising expenditure. The nriep mnv spread over four years, with free insurance for two years, and no motor taxation. Tho lowest weekly instalment to enable workmen to buy the car is five marks (about 8s). It is reported that .already orders have been booked for 150,000.