I am going to be ending the series on cars with this superb example of what happens when a company looking to broaden its line of vehicles and branch into new markets makes a horrendous mistake. I give you the Zundapp Janus.
Zundapp was quite well known for its motorcycles. The company has been around since the 1st World War when it made weapon parts. After the war, like many suppliers to war effort, the company looked to move on with other products. They developed a line of motorcycles that was well recieved and notable for innovations such as enclosed engines and drive shaft powered rear wheels. Not surprisingly they supplied the German government during the 2nd World War with quality motorcycles.
After the war, this must be getting tiring for Zundapp, they again looked to find a niche. This time they produced a scooter the "Bella". The fifties found them producing their one and only car, the Janus. This amazing vehicle, named for the Roman god, was literally two ended. It had two seats; one facing forward, the other, back. A very tiny 14 horsepower single cylinder two stroke engine sat in the middle between the seats. Riders alighted from doors at each end.
It could go about 50 mph but handling was dependant on the weight balance between the front and back seats. Unless it was pretty even, the centre of gravity was alarmingly off kilter. A heavy passenger would lift the front wheels and cause steering irregularities.
Can't imagine what it was like to be the passenger in traffic.
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