|
Heinkel Kabine 150
|
1956 - 1958 |
Country: |
|
Engine: |
Single Cylinder. |
Capacity: |
198 / 203 cc |
Power: |
10 bhp |
Transmission: |
4 spd. man |
Top Speed: |
86 km/h |
Number
Built: |
5537 |
Collectability: |
|
|
When aircraft designer Ernst Heinkel saw the BMW
manufactured Iso Isetta, he decided that he could do
one better, using aircraft principles and making it
lighter and faster by using a smaller engine.
He did just that with the Kabine 150, the quintessential
"bubble car" with its large window area and long sleek
lines.
In October 1956, he introduced the Kabine 153 (three-wheeler)
and 154 (four wheeler) with the trusty four-stroke motor
enlarged to 203cc.
From March 1957 this was reduced to 198cc for insurance
reasons. A license to build the Heinkel was also sold
to Argentina, where some 2000 examples were sold until
1961. These were fitted with external air filters because
of dust problems.
Demand was high for the enormously popular Tourist scooter,
and also for the various motors being supplied to other
firms, so there was increased demand for more production
space in the Heinkel factories.
Despite a production of some 50 cars a day, the Kabine was losing between
400 and 500 Marks per car. This, combined with the death of Heinkel in January
1958 and the resumption of aircraft production, necessitated
the sale of the entire Kabine production facility
to the Dundalk Engineering Company in Ireland in June
of 1958.
This idea was short-lived, however, as quality
probems with the Heinkel-I became evident. The Irish
factory was dirt-floored, and front axles stored outside.
The license was withdrawn. |