Staunau K400 1950 Red by Autocult
A Fairy Tale that caught up with
reality
Before
the Second World War, Karl-Heinz Staunau ran a machine factory which
specialized in confectionery and ice machines, in the Harburg district of
Hamburg. In the course of the war reparations his company was mentioned twice
on the dismantling list. In 1949, his factory hall was completely emptied for
the second time. All he had left was the building and his 180 employees. But he
made a virtue of necessity, put his former profession behind and decided to
enter the automobile production. Together with the 32-year-old aircraft
designer Gerd Krebs, he put his idea of a small car, which was visually more
appealing than comparable vehicles, on paper. Gerd Krebs ensured that the car was
much more sophisticated than its competitors. The buyers had the choice between
two engines for the small car – a two cylinder two-stroke boxer engine with
400cc or with 750cc, both produced by JLO. The smaller boxer engine produced 12
hp and the 750cc version had a power output of 25 hp.
Many
of the companies that had a try at the small car segment around 1950
constructed their models based on motorcycles and not as independent car
concepts. But Karl-Heinz Staunau went the other, supposedly better way and
designed a “real” car! This was underlined by the fact that the small car
offered space for up to six passengers – three in the front on a full width
bench seat and additional three in the rear. Series production began in
mid-July 1950. It was planned to begin with four cars per day with the option
of up to 600 to 900 units per month. The sales price for the 400cc version was
set at 4,752 DM and for the 750cc version at 6,457 DM. But the desired success
came to nothing. Only 64 copies of the ‘K 400’ left the factory in Hamburg and
the 750cc version was sold only 16 times. Already in 1951 the decision was made
to cease the production.
Description: | Staunau K400 1950 Red |
Catalogue#: | ATC03019 |
Product Type: | Resincast |
Scale: | 1:43 |
Event: | Road |
Colour: | Red |
Drivers: | - |
Sponsors: | - |
Dates: | 1950 |
Race/Position: | - |
Release Date: | February 2021 |
Weight: | 450 grams |
Comments: | Limited edition of 333 pieces. |
About Autocult
A relatively new maker of very well finished resincast models, established in 2015. Very imaginative choice of subjects, often concentrating on the more eccentric episodes in motoring history! Production limited to 333 pieces of each subject, which often means that we get one delivery and that is it, so pre-orders strongly recommended!! Made in China for Germany.