Production 1950-1969 Class Microcar | Designer Norbert Stevenson Layout RMR | |
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Manufacturer Elektromaschinenbau Fulda GmbH and Nordwestdeutscher Fahrzeugbau (NWF) Body style 2-door Coupé
2-door Convertible | ||
Fuldamobil is the name of a series of small cars produced by Elektromaschinenbau Fulda GmbH of Fulda, Germany, and Nordwestdeutscher Fahrzeugbau (NWF) of Wilhelmshaven between 1950 and 1969. Though numbers produced were relatively small, the cars attracted sufficient attention to see licensed construction on four continents including Europe. In its ultimate configuration it is said to have inspired the term "bubble car".
Origins
The car's original design was conceived by Norbert Stevenson, a freelance-journalist who had worked for the "Rhein-Zeitung" newspaper who had completed one term of mechanical engineering at the Technische Hochschule Berlin. His design concept was for a very simple three-wheeled car with room for two people inside, it would have two wheels at the front for stability, and be driven by a small engine at the rear. After initial financial support for the project from his former employer had ceased, Stevenson took his concept to several companies and in the summer of 1949, it was accepted by Karl Schmitt, a wealthy engineering graduate.
Schmitt was a Bosch wholesaler in the town of Fulda, Germany, who also ran another small company; Elektromaschinenbau Fulda GmbH, which had proved successful providing maintenance and repair of the emergency power generators in widespread use in Germany after the war.
The Fuldamobil was licensed for manufacture to various countries where it was known by varying names, such as the Nobel in Chile, UK and Turkey, the Bambi in Argentina, the Bambino in the Netherlands, Fram King Fulda in Sweden, Attica and also Alta in Greece, and Hans Vahaar in India. It was also manufactured in South Africa under the original German name. A pickup version called "Sporty" based on the coupé was also available in Argentina.