AutoCult Espenlaub/Wanderer Stromlinienfahrzeug (1928) (Germany)

About the Original

The quirky One

The name Gottlob Espenlaub is superficially known in the scene of aviation. At the age of 20, he built a glider from wreckage. This happened in 1920 and from then on his name was associated with aircraft constructions.

In 1928, Gottlob Espenlaub set about transferring his knowledge of aircraft construction into a car. A ‘Wanderer’ model served as the basis for his design. While he apparently took over the chassis completely in its original condition, he designed a completely new car body. Regardless of contemporary body construction, he thought he could adopt the practices of aircraft construction into automobile construction. Even if no technical documentation or other records of the car have been preserved, it can be assumed that he combined light metal construction with elements of sailplane construction. The contours of a very bulbus, rounded body became apparent, which enclosed all four wheels. Due to allow sufficient steering lock, the car was much wider than conventional automobiles. Because of its substructure, it was not possible to add stylistic refinements into the shape of the vehicle. For this reason, the design was very clunky and looks like a bizarre vehicle of a long forgotten time. The greenhouse of the car with its low, three-part windscreen was stabilized with struts. Due to ensure enough stability for the entire car body, the 28-year-old Gottlob Espenlaub decided to install only one door. On the right side, the passengers entered the car. A classic feature of an automobile could be found at the front end – due to the air supply of the Wanderer engine it had radiator grille with lamellar design fitted. Right next to it, he positioned both headlights.