Melkus RS 1000

The car Melkus RS 1000 was developed by the Dresden racing driver Heinz Melkus based on the Wartburg 353 as a two -seater sports coupe and 1969-1980 built in 101 copies. The name "RS " stands for racing cars.

Start of production

The production approval was based on an initiative of the Motor Sports Association ADMV. In November 1968, the Commission automobile racing presented at the Central Sports Commission an application to build a completely in the GDR built sports car "in honor of the 20th anniversary of the founding of the GDR ". After its approval Melkus developed in the "Arbeitsgemeinschaft sports car " with the participation of engineers from the Technical University of Dresden, the traffic of Applied Sciences Dresden and technicians of the automotive plant Eisenach (Wartburg ) and designers of the Art Academy Berlin -Weissensee until April 1969 the first prototype.

Technology

For the construction of frame, suspension, engine and fittings were taken from the series production of the Wartburg. Through a revised engine, dual exhaust, modified exhaust system, 5 -speed transmission and triple carburetor of MZ, the output of 37 kW/50 hp to 51 kW (70 PS) was increased at 5000 revolutions per minute in the street version. The liquid -cooled 3 - cylinder in-line two-stroke engine ( 992 cc ) was placed centrally, the Melkus RS 1000 reached 165 kilometers per hour - in the racing version with sports gasifier at up to 74 kW ( 100 hp) and 6,000 revolutions per minute up to 210 km / h In the meantime, has also experimented with a twin engine, the crankshaft two Wartburg engines transferred their power through a gear train to a common coupling. However, difficulties such as the synchronization of six MZ motorcycle carburetor could fail these tests.

Body

Individual body parts were made of glass fiber reinforced polyester ( front, rear ) or light metal (doors, roof); by the empty weight remained at 680 kg for the sports version and 750 kg in the standard version. The utility weight was only 200 kg. The Melkus RS 1000 only had a small trunk and was prone to crosswinds. Visually striking were the ausschwenkenden up doors.

Marketing

The waiting time for an RS 1000 was only about one- half to two years, while buyers had to wait about ten years in the simplest Trabant version ( sedan ). The RS 1000 were only selected GDR citizens and racers acquire, so this the " proof of a race sporting activity " in the form of a driver's license was initially ADMV still required. This scheme was, however, no longer applied later. In any case, he was prohibitive at an official price of about 30,000 marks for most, the prices on the used car market were again, like in a car in the GDR usual, much higher. New cars were never made ​​available for sale, but were marketed exclusively through the ADMV. The racing version of the RS 1000 took time also participated in touring car championships.

Revival and RS 1600

End of April 2006 was published in the magazine Oldtimer Markt that Melkus a small series of five Melkus RS 1000 plans, of which even two lightweight. There was also stated that exist from the originally built 101 copies still 80.

September 29, 2006 wrote the märkische or newspaper that Melkus will reconstruct 15 faithfully reconstructed RS 1000. The limited edition of 15 pieces is dedicated to the company's founder, died in 2005 Heinz Melkus. The vehicles were then faithfully and completely handmade and offered in three models, with prices starting at 48,500 euros ( the standard version is street legal racing version, not street legal racing version ). As a first unplanned version emerged along with the 15 RS 1000 Melkus RS 1600 and five who received a modern four-stroke engine instead of the original two-stroke engine.

The first specimen was subsequently built over to his new owners in Dresden Transport Museum on 26 November 2006. Currently, the successor model RS 2000 in production. The prototype was unveiled in 2009 at the IAA the public. Shortly after the series production of 20-25 copies launched annually. The new RS with a weight of 950 kg, and four-cylinder engine delivers 270 horsepower and accelerates from 0-100 km / h in 4.9 seconds. The starting price for a Melkus RS 2000 is 115.000 Euro. At the turn of 2012/2013 had to file for bankruptcy Melkus.