Heinkel 1956 Bubble Car made in Ireland | Season 1 - Episode 26

Описание: 👋 Hey friends! In this video, we are featuring the very unique and very cool Heinkel microcar, popularly known as a bubble car.

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Our mission is to celebrate and preserve stories of Irish transport past and present for the benefit of future generations. If it has wings, wheels or it floats and there is an Irish connection, we share the story.

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Launched in 1956, the Heinkel microcar, popularly known as a bubble car, used a 175cc four-stroke single-cylinder engine originally developed for a motor scooter.

In 1958 Heinkel in Germany were losing money on each car they sold and they also resumed aircraft production. As a resulted they stopped producing microcars and sold the license to World-wide rights for the manufacture and sale of the Heinkel-Kabine. These Worldwide rights were purchased by Dundalk Engineering Works in Ireland which set up in the closed workshops of the Great Northern Railway. All the tools, dies, presses and jigs necessary to restart production travelled to Dundalk. Initially cars were assembled from parts manufactured in Germany. Full production is thought to have taken place from October 1958.

The Heinkel Cabin Cruiser was an intriguing design, manufactured in two versions, a 3-wheeler and a 4-wheeler on which the two rear wheels were placed close together. The bubble car had room for two adults side-by-side and a small seat in the rear, which could be used for a child. The engine was housed under the rear seat. but it was said to be easy to get at for repairs. We understand engines were still supplied by Ernst Heinkel Ag at that time. All were 198cc of 408 B-1 (four wheeler) or 408 B-2 (three wheeler) specification. It had a top speed of 56 mph (nearly 90 km/h), could run at 75 mpg with the 198 cc engine. Access to inside was by an opening front and the fabric sunroof served as an emergency escape hatch should the front become jammed in a collision.

As part of the transfer of production to Ireland the World wide marketing rights were taken over by International Sales Limited of Dublin and they called the car the Heinkel Cabin Cruiser. It exported Irish built cars to the UK through their London office. As a result a substantial proportion of production is likely to have ended up in UK not least because they did not sell well in Ireland. Another important export market for the Irish Heinkel was Sweden. The future seemed bright but by December 1960 Heinkel production was suspended ‘due to export difficulties’. Other reports say there were quality control problems at the Irish operation. In total 6,486 models were manufactured at the Dundalk between 1958 and 1961.

In 1962 assembly moved to Trojan of Croydon, England and gave it the name 'Trojan 200'. Demand for bubble cars quickly gave way to a desire for larger motors. Its popularity was particularly hit by the afore mentioned BMC Mini when it came onto the market.

The Heinkel bubble car quickly became a cultural icon boosted by it's prominent featuring in the 1959 film I'm All Right Jack. It was sometimes the subject of fun there was even a song written about it. An Irish Heinkel stands proudly at the entrance to County Museum, Dundalk, Ireland permanent industrial exhibition, where it never fails to raise a smile! They also appear to be adored by their owners and greatly appreciated by car enthusiasts.

Finally a Heinkel cost £310 plus £9 tax in 1957 in Ireland. One was recently auctioned after spending 36 years in a wood-lined container complete with a de-humidifier – estimated price £20,000 to £24,000!

Technical specifications:
No. of cylinders: 1
Engine cycle: Four-stroke
Power output: 9.2hp
Batteries: 2, of 6 volts, 13 amp hours
Rear axle: Enclosed winging arm (chain running in oil bath) Spring leg with hydraulic shock absorber
Overall length: 2550mm (99.5")
Maximum width: 1370mm (53.5")

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Information sources:
Charles Flynn, NUI Maynoooth http://mural.maynoothuniversity.ie/51...
Dundalk County Museum
erik.gjermundsen.net
Heinkel Trojan Club (UK)
Journal of Classic Cars https://journal.classiccars.com/2019/...
Old Classic Cars https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/heink...
Shawn Mahoney / https://heinkels.blogspot.com

#irelandmade #heinklel #henkel #bubblecar #dundalk #louth #dundalkworks #microcar

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