NW Rennzweier
Encyclopedia
Rennzweier is a veteran automobile manufactured by Nesselsdorfer Wagenbau-Fabriks-Gesellschaft A.G.
(now known as Tatra) in 1900. It is sometimes called also as First racing, 12 HP or Rennwagen (The Race Car). It was manufactured on order by baron Theodor von Liebig. Also Hans Ledwinka
, at the time only 20 years old, was taking part in construction of the car, later to become the most important Tatra designer. The car was manufactured on May 5, 1900, and the manufacture process took only 5 weeks.
), achieved their first significant racing success on the trotter course in Vienna Prater. It was the first race in Austrian monarchy at all - started on October 23, 1899. The driver of the winning NW-car Wien was baron Theodor von Liebig. The other NW-car Nesselsdorf was the second one before all concurente of four Benz-cars and four Dietrich-Bolleé cars. Later in March 1900 Liebig raced the triangle 192 km track Nizza - Draguignan - Nizza, where he won the second stage at all. Four days later he won the class of four -seaters up to 1000 kg in famous hill climbe race Nizza - La Turbié. Based on this achievements, baron Liebig orderedconstruction of a new racecar.
The car had modified Benz engine. It was two cylinders spark ignition engine with power output of about 9 kW (12HP) at 1800RPM. It was situated above the driven rear axle, longwise with the cars axis.
The driver was situated on highened seat behind the steering wheel, while the passenger's seat was much lower on the frame, so his legs were sticking out under the car.
The gas tank had volume of 42 litres, while there was also another tank behind the driver for 15 liters of coolant.
The car was able to reach maximum speed of 82 km/h.
Von Liebig raced the car in numerous contests. He won the race Nice - La Turbie, and took second position in Salzburg-Linz-Vienna race. He later took part also in Paris-Vienna race.
Today the Rennzweier is in the Czech National Technical Museum
.
Second racing car was made in 1901. It was again without carrossery, and this time a Hardy engine (flat two, 3188cc, 7,4 kW-8,85 kW (10-12HP)) was used instead of the previous Benz one.
Tatra (car)
Tatra is a vehicle manufacturer in Kopřivnice, Czech Republic. The company was founded in 1850 as Schustala & Company later renamed Nesselsdorfer Wagenbau-Fabriksgesellschaft, a wagon and carriage manufacturer, and in 1897 produced the first motor car in central Europe, the Präsident. In 1918, it...
(now known as Tatra) in 1900. It is sometimes called also as First racing, 12 HP or Rennwagen (The Race Car). It was manufactured on order by baron Theodor von Liebig. Also Hans Ledwinka
Hans Ledwinka
Hans Ledwinka was an Austrian automobile designer.- Youth :Ledwinka was born was born in Klosterneuburg , near Vienna, then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire....
, at the time only 20 years old, was taking part in construction of the car, later to become the most important Tatra designer. The car was manufactured on May 5, 1900, and the manufacture process took only 5 weeks.
Predecessor racers
In 1899, the NW-cars Wien and Nesselsdorf (descendant models after the PräsidentPräsident
The Präsident was an automobile manufactured by Nesselsdorfer Wagenbau-Fabriks-Gesellschaft A.G. in 1897. Together with Lohner car, it was the first actually driveble factory made petrol-engined automobile produced in Austria-Hungary as well as in Central and Eastern Europe The Präsident was an...
), achieved their first significant racing success on the trotter course in Vienna Prater. It was the first race in Austrian monarchy at all - started on October 23, 1899. The driver of the winning NW-car Wien was baron Theodor von Liebig. The other NW-car Nesselsdorf was the second one before all concurente of four Benz-cars and four Dietrich-Bolleé cars. Later in March 1900 Liebig raced the triangle 192 km track Nizza - Draguignan - Nizza, where he won the second stage at all. Four days later he won the class of four -seaters up to 1000 kg in famous hill climbe race Nizza - La Turbié. Based on this achievements, baron Liebig orderedconstruction of a new racecar.
Design
The construction was unique at the time. The car was very low, especially the drivers seat. There was no carrossery - all mechanical parts were uncovered. Unlike its predecessors, the steering column was slightly tilted.The car had modified Benz engine. It was two cylinders spark ignition engine with power output of about 9 kW (12HP) at 1800RPM. It was situated above the driven rear axle, longwise with the cars axis.
The driver was situated on highened seat behind the steering wheel, while the passenger's seat was much lower on the frame, so his legs were sticking out under the car.
The gas tank had volume of 42 litres, while there was also another tank behind the driver for 15 liters of coolant.
The car was able to reach maximum speed of 82 km/h.
Von Liebig raced the car in numerous contests. He won the race Nice - La Turbie, and took second position in Salzburg-Linz-Vienna race. He later took part also in Paris-Vienna race.
Today the Rennzweier is in the Czech National Technical Museum
National Technical Museum (Prague)
The National Technical Museum in Prague is the largest institution dedicated to preserving information and artifacts related to the history of technology in the Czech Republic. The museum was founded in 1908 and has been in its current location since 1941. The museum has large exhibits...
.
Second racing car was made in 1901. It was again without carrossery, and this time a Hardy engine (flat two, 3188cc, 7,4 kW-8,85 kW (10-12HP)) was used instead of the previous Benz one.