Fafnir (automobile)
Fafnir was an automobile manufacturer from Aachen, who produced 1903 to 1926 automobiles.
History
From needles to bicycle spokes
The company was founded in 1894 and started the production of needles. If the bicycle had become a means of mass transportation, the company switched to the production of bicycle spokes. 1898 she became a public limited company and changed its name as " Carl Schwanemeyer, Aachen Stahlwarenfabrik AG ", Jülich road.
Motorcycle engines
After saturation of the bicycle market, the company produced henceforth mainly built-in motors for motorcycles and automobiles. The products were considered to be reasonably priced and of high quality. From 1902 A name was introduced for the products: " FAFNIR " - the dragon from the Nibelungen saga. The one-and two -cylinder V- engines contributed 2 to 8 hp and 1903 were already equipped with controlled inlet valves.
From the car kit for racing cars
Between 1904 and 1925, the company has developed into a small but well-known automobile manufacturers. In 1912 it was renamed the " Fafnir works", Aachen, Jülich road. There, the former Fafnir works was researched in some parts of the building of the Research Society FEV GmbH on internal combustion engines to the final task.
1904 began the transition into the automotive manufacturing with the production of car kits under the name Omnimobil. The kit included a two-cylinder engine with 6 hp, 700 cc, and later a four-cylinder engine with 16 hp. From 1908 finished cars were produced, which were initially marketed as Aachen. The type " 274 " were known with up to 14 hp and a top speed of 60 km / h and the type " 284 " with 16 hp and 70 km / h These were all called Mr. vehicles, ie cars for self-drive, employing no chauffeur.
In the sale catalogs of 1912 six different types have already been listed at prices 4100-16000 RM. Fafnir cars showed for that time remarkable advanced features such as that of the gearshift lever to the inside or the rear springs were installed under the axle. 1919 again changed its name - in " Fafnir Werke AG - Aachen Stahlwarenfabrik ".
The First World War brought the German automotive industry to a virtual standstill. Not until 1920 that modern vehicles were produced again at Fafnir. One of the last models produced was of type " 471 ", which was built until 1927, and the type " 472 ", which was initially called " Phaeton ", a body style from the early years of the 20th century, built and upgraded later to a Pickup. 2013 model of this series of 80% original parts and 20% of replicas has been restored by the company FEV GmbH.
Fafnir resulted in its boom time also has its own car racing team with up to seven race cars. Participation in the Eifel race devoured a lot of money. The cars were not up to the narrow and steep streets Eifel and demanded a large staff of mechanics. Rudolf Caracciola began his racing career at Fafnir, his first victory - on the AVUS - he successfully fought in 1926 but already in a Mercedes, since Fafnir was there already at the end.
The end
Fafnir was a " craft business ", the conversion to assembly line production was not successful. Fafnir produced in 1925 with some 100 technicians monthly only about 120 cars. Competitive enterprises such as the Opel works already presented 30 times the number here.
In 1925 the corner. Outdated production methods, insufficient standardization of parts and the high taxation of cars as a luxury item hampered the competitiveness. In addition, the high import duties on foreign cars were canceled under pressure from the United States. The result was that cheap American mass vehicles came to Germany. At first it was believed by massive price reductions the company to keep it alive. But after the vehicles had to be sold well below the cost of production, the creditors could no longer be satisfied. The liabilities amounted to 1.8 million RM. The end of 1925, the banks took over the business supervision. In 1926 the company filed for bankruptcy.