Heinkel Kabine
| Company type | Microcar model |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1956 |
| Founder | Heinkel Flugzeugwerke |
| Defunct | 1966 |
| Fate | Production rights licensed to other manufacturers |
| Successor | Trojan 200 (UK production) |
| Headquarters | Germany |
Area served | Germany, Ireland, United Kingdom, Argentina |
| Products | Microcars (Heinkel Kabine) |
| Owner | Heinkel Flugzeugwerke (original) |
The Heinkel Kabine is a microcar originally engineered by Heinkel Flugzeugwerke and produced by them between 1956 and 1958. Production rights were subsequently licensed to the Dundalk Engineering Company in Ireland in 1958; however, this license was revoked soon after due to unsatisfactory quality standards.[1] Manufacturing resumed in 1960 under license again, this time in the UK by Trojan Cars Ltd., where it was marketed as the Trojan 200 until 1966.[2]
Additionally, Los Cedros S.A. assembled the Heinkel Kabine under license from 1959 through 1962 in Argentina.[3][4] In Argentina, these vehicles were produced alongside Studebaker pickup trucks.
The Kabine Model 150 was powered by a 174 cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine delivering 9.2 hp, which was the same powerplant used in the Heinkel Tourist scooter.[5] In October of 1956, Heinkel launched the Kabine Model 153 featuring three wheels and the Model 154 with four wheels; both variants were equipped with 204 cc engines. These engines were later downsized to 198 cc to meet insurance requirements.[1]
Constructed with a steel monocoque chassis,[1] the Kabine's cabin was accessed through a front-opening door. To avoid infringing on the patent held by Iso Rivolta for the Isetta, the steering wheel did not pivot outward with the door for easier entry. Unlike some other bubble cars, the Kabine included a reverse gear. Moreover, its fabric sunroof functioned as an emergency exit if the single front door became stuck following an accident.
The Kabine appeared notably in several films: prominently in I'm All Right Jack (1959) and Murder in Eden (1961), and briefly in Blue Murder at St Trinian's and The Naked Truth (also known as Your Past Is Showing) released in 1957.
The term "Kabine" translates from German as "cabin."
Specifications
Photograph by Frode Inge Helland
| Model: | 175 Typ 153 | 200 Typ 154 (1956) | 200 Typ 154 (1957–58) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacture period | 1956–1957 | 1956 | 1957–1958 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Engine type | Single-cylinder, air-cooled, four-stroke | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Valve mechanism | Overhead valve (OHV) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cylinder bore and stroke | 60 mm (2.4 in) bore x 61.5 mm (2.4 in) stroke | 65 mm (2.6 in) bore x 61.5 mm (2.4 in) stroke | 64 mm (2.5 in) bore x 61.5 mm (2.4 in) stroke | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Engine displacement | 174 cc | 204 cc | 198 cc | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Output power | 6.8 kW (9.2 PS; 9.1 hp) at 5500 rpm |
7.4 kW (10.1 PS; 9.9 hp) at 5500 rpm |
7.4 kW (10.1 PS; 9.9 hp) at 5500 rpm | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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See alsoReferences |
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