1957 Heinkel Kabinkruiser Type 154 Micro Car

Description

German aircraft engineer Professor Ernst Heinkel began designing and building small engines post-war, branching out into the scooter market and as a logical extension, began developing a rival to the popular Isetta microcar. Using aircraft principles, Heinkel's so-called Cabin Cruiser was significantly lighter thanks to the aerodynamic monocoque, or unitary body construction and this weight saving meant smaller engines could be employed. In 1956 Heinkel began offering two versions of the Cabin Cruiser with a slightly larger motor, the Type 153 with three wheels and the more expensive Type 154 with a fourth wheel for added stability, each using a unitary steel body with a front-opening door (with a fixed steering wheel, unlike the Isetta) and fabric sunroof. The Heinkel was a sophisticated design relative to some of its competitors, featuring a reverse gear and well-equipped cabin. The four-stroke single-cylinder 200cc engine developed enough power to push the Type 154 to a top speed of 90 km/h. After production ceased in Germany in 1958, the Dundalk Engineering Company in Ireland began building them under licence but issues with quality control saw production cease until 1960, when Trojan Cars, Ltd. resumed in England and continued through to 1966. German-made Heinkels are hard to find these days and virtually unknown in Australia, but as with all microcars have become hugely collectible around the world in recent years.