They were the first: 11 small cars of the early 20th century

Subcompact cars appeared already at the dawn of the automotive industry. In those distant years, when cars were just beginning to appear on the market, they produced really very small cars. In our review, 11 small cars of the first half of the 20th century.

(Total 13 photos)

Whitwood

1. Double Whitwood. London, 1934

The Whitwood car was created in the UK in the 20s of the last century. The length of this crumb was only 2.3 meters, but the speed reached 150 km / h. Whitwood was presented in several versions - for one and several passengers.

Rytecraft

2. Subcompact Rytecraft. London, 1939

The Rytecraft was also made in the UK in the 1930s. This car was slightly larger than the Whitwood and in the basic configuration it freely accommodated the driver and passenger.

Barnard Formula Six

3. Barnard Formula Six. 1968

At the international toy fair Toy Fair in 1968, a small-capacity "toy" racing car Barnard Formula Six was presented. The car was intended for drivers from 6 to 60 years old. The speed of Barnard Formula Six was, however, not for children - 50-60 km / h.

Hanomag Kommissbrot

4. German small car Hanomag Kommissbrot. 1928

The German subcompact car Hanomag Kommissbrot was introduced in 1928. The car consumed very little fuel due to its size and mass, and due to the unusual shape of the body at that time, it was called the "loaf of bread."

The 50cc Mopetta

5. Subcompact 50cc Mopetta.

6. The subcompact 50cc Mopetta first appeared in Stuttgart. The car was created in 1958 and became one of the first "trivillers". The speed of this monster of minimalism was only 33 km / h.

Custer

7. Custer is the smallest American car.

Americans love to create the "highest tech", "most expensive" and "most complex". But once they created something "the smallest". They became the car Custer. The machine was created in 1920. An adult could barely fit in her salon.

Rytecraft Scootercars

8. Dwarf Rytecraft Scootercars, designed by JW Shillan in 1934, became famous primarily for the fact that their engine had a power of only one horsepower. For all the time, only two such cars were produced.

Velocar

9. Created in 1939, Velocar was not just a car, it was a symbol and a call! As you might guess from the name, in essence Velocar is not a car. He worked on pedal traction.

10. Tiny Velocar on the way to Hyde Park.

The car was created as an alternative to vehicles on an internal combustion engine. For what? Gasoline in war is a valuable resource.

Grinders Glade

11. Grinders Glade, 1925

And here is another British runabout Grinders Glade, created in 1925. In terms of dimensions, this car was larger than all small British cars created in the first half of the 20th century.

midget tank

12. The so-called Midget tanks were actively used in World War II by engineering and motorized rifle units of the Wehrmacht. Such tanks were used to transport cargo and the wounded, and they also installed explosives to undermine enemy fortifications.

Ford Comutas

13. Ford Comutas was created in 1967. Its peculiarity is that it became one of the first, then still experimental, electric vehicles. Worked Ford Comutas on a 12-volt lead battery.