Zündapp Janus
| Zündapp | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Janus | |
| Production period: | 1957-1958 |
| Class : | Microcar |
| Body versions : | limousine |
| Engines: |
Otto engine : 0.25 liters (10.3 kW) |
| Length: | 2890 mm |
| Width: | 1410 mm |
| Height: | 1400 mm |
| Wheelbase : | 1825 mm |
| Empty weight : | 425 kg |
The Zündapp Janus was a four-seater scooter mobile (then a small car - now better known as a miniature car ) made by Zündapp-Werke GmbH, Nuremberg , in the 1950s.
history
The construction of the Janus goes back to the prototype Dornier Delta by Claudius Dornier , the eldest son of Claude Dornier , for whom Zündapp had acquired the production license. Delivery began in June 1957, but production was discontinued in 1958 after only 6902 units had been made. The Janus disappeared from the market after a short production period - like many other types of small cars at the time - because its price (price of the Janus: 3290 DM + 40 DM for heating, corresponds to around 8,115 euros today) was too close to 3780 DM, which cost about a standard beetle.
technology
The unusual thing about this scooter mobile and the reason to use the name of the double-headed Roman god Janus is the seating position and the arrangement of the same doors at the bow and stern. The rear passengers sat with their backs facing the direction of travel ( dos-à-dos ), looked to the rear and had leg and headroom like in a mid-range car. Transporting bulky goods was relatively easy.
Among the interesting details of Janus one else on some next to the arrangement of doors and seats are sports cars of existing mid-engine , the hydraulic four-wheel brake (not then of course) and independent suspension all wheels, which is a very good handling with little body roll despite rear swing axle brought. Blade-shaped ribs increased the stability of the brake drums and attracted cooling air. The gearshift lever was attached to the left of the driver, the gears were on one level (motorcycle gearshift).
The mid-engine enabled a balanced weight distribution. The advertising also emphasized: "Unusual so far, but definitely pleasing in terms of rain and moisture: minor maintenance work such as changing candles or cleaning nozzles can be carried out under your own roof." However, the disadvantage of the mid-engine solution was the high level of noise inside the vehicle and the occasional build-up of odors due to poor sealing of the cover.
Technical specifications
- Engine: Single - cylinder two-stroke engine , 26 mm downdraft carburetor , horizontal cylinder with fan cooling
- Displacement: 248 cm³
- Bore × stroke: 67 mm × 70 mm
- Compression: 6.8: 1 (7: 1)
- Power: approx. 14 hp at 5000 rpm (5200 rpm)
- Gear: Draw key gear with 4 forward gears and 1 reverse gear, ratchet gear with hand lever
- Front suspension: pushed swing arms with struts, stabilizer, rack and pinion steering
- Rear suspension: swing axle with coil springs
- Length: 2890 mm (2860 mm)
- Width: 1410 mm (1400 mm)
- Height: 1400 mm (1380 mm)
- Wheelbase: 1825 mm
- Track width front / rear: 1150/1180 mm
- Tire size: 4.40–12
- Empty weight: approx. 425 kg
- Payload approx. 300 kg
- Top speed: approx. 80–85 km / h
Data of the prototype in brackets according to the 1956 brochure
Trivia
In the 2011 released Disney - animated film Cars 2 Zündapp Janus plays a supporting role in "person" Professor Zündapp, a German villain.
literature
- Ulrich Kubisch : Zündapp. Rise and fall. (Berlin contributions to the history of technology and industrial culture. Series of publications by the Museum for Transport and Technology Berlin, Volume 6). Nicolaische Verlagsbuchhandlung, Berlin 1986, ISBN 3-87584-176-X , pp. 136–149.
- Hanns Peter Rosellen: German small cars after 1945 loved, praised and unforgotten. Weltbild Verlag GmbH, Augsburg 1991, ISBN 3-89350-040-5 .
- Thomas Reinwald: Zündapp Janus and the other automotive developments from Zündapp. Kleine Vennekate, Lemgo 2008, ISBN 978-3-935517-35-5 .
- Zündapp Janus. In: Motor vehicle technology 10/1957, pp. 390–391.
Web links
- Zündapp Janus IG
- The Zündapp Janus turns 60, 2017 event at the Museum for Industrial Culture ( Memento from June 22, 2017 in the Internet Archive )
