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There are tales of visionary dream cars that never quite made it to the roads. One such captivating story is that of the Borgward Traumwagen, a concept car that was meant to be the embodiment of Carl Borgward's futuristic ambitions. In the 1950s, Borgward, the founder of the German automaker Borgward AG, sought to emulate the success of the American "Big Three" automakers and decided to venture into the realm of innovative concept cars.
A Dream of Innovation: The Traumwagen, or "Dream Car," was envisioned to be a trailblazer in automotive design and technology. With a streamlined light alloy body, it had a sleek and futuristic appearance, setting it apart from the cars of its time. One of the key highlights of the Traumwagen was its groundbreaking engine technology - a new generation of four-stroke engines developed by engineer Erich Ubelaker. The boxer 4-cylinder engines, ranging from 2.0 to 2.5 liters in displacement, were crafted from alloys such as electron and silumin.
A Promising Test Mule: The Traumwagen served as a test mule for these innovative engines, which were intended not only for Borgward's cars but also for heavy-duty trucks and even tanks. The boxer engines showcased remarkable performance capabilities, delivering up to 130 horsepower from the 2.5-liter version. The car underwent rigorous testing, and it seemed to be the future of automotive technology.
An Unfortunate Turn of Events: However, fate had other plans for the Traumwagen. Just before the scheduled presentation at the 1955 Frankfurt Motor Show, a brake system failure led to a severe accident that left the car's alloy body badly damaged. Borgward's dream of showcasing the car of the future to the world's audience at the prestigious event was dashed.
A Second Chance, But Too Late: The Traumwagen was rebuilt with some modifications, including a flip-top bubble for easier entry. However, by the time the car was ready for another debut, Borgward's financial situation had taken a downturn. The company's bankruptcy in 1961 meant that the Traumwagen was never given the chance to shine on the market.
A Lost Treasure: In the midst of the bankruptcy proceedings, the unique Traumwagen mysteriously disappeared, and reports suggested it had been scrapped. The dreams of showcasing this visionary concept car to the world were lost forever.
A Resurgence and New Beginnings: Though Borgward AG met its demise in the 1960s, the Borgward name has seen a revival. In recent times, Borgward has been producing vehicles once again, including the BX7 compact SUV for the Chinese and Indian markets. The company has plans to venture into the European markets with a lineup of hybrid and electric-powered SUVs, marking a new chapter in the brand's history.
Source: Peter Kurz | www.spiegel.de
Images: automotive-heritage.ru