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1956 Fuldamobil S-4

Wanting to reduce the hand labour in the N-2, director Schmitt approached VDM, who could form aluminum panels "as long as they're round, curved shapes". Fine. Stevenson designed the bulbous shape in 10 days in June '53. Nearly the entire run of S-1 Fuldas was built by NWF under license, using Ilo motors. The S-2 was Fulda-built, using the old Sachs 360 once again. The two S-3 prototypes tried out the new Sachs 200 (Messerschmitt) motor.

The S-4 was built in response to the 1955 elimination of the tax advantage previously given to three-wheelers. The reversible Sachs motor drove a pair of rear wheels, spaced 400mm apart, via a custom enclosed chaincase, thus enhancing stability. The wiper motor was moved to above the windshield, and the sunroof was now the normal Isetta type. Pictures seem to indicate that the bullseye rear window had grown somewhat.

Manufacturer: Elektromaschinenbau Fulda GmbH Germany

Model: S-4 Motor: Fichtel & Sachs, 2-stroke Body: Wood and Aluminum
Years Built: Sept.1955-Oct. 1956 No. Cylinders: 1 Chassis: Tube
No. Produced: 168 Displacement: 191 cc Suspension Front: Trans Leaf
No. Surviving: N/A Horsepower: 10 Suspension Rear: Coil
Length: 3100 mm Gearbox: 4 forward 4 reverse Steering: Rack and pinion
Width: 1470 mm Starter: Dynastart Brakes: Cable front only
Weight: 390 kg Electrics: 12 v 3 Wheels: 4.00 x 8"
Interior: 2 + 2 seats Ignition: Coil Top Speed: 85 kph

© 2002