Maikäfer

Josef Ganz in the Maikäfer prototype, 1931

Maikäfer was the nickname of an automobile prototype, built in 1931 by German engineer Josef Ganz at Adler.

History

Josef Ganz, an independent engineer and editor-in-chief of Motor-Kritik magazine, was assigned by Adler in December 1930 as a consultant engineer. In the first months of 1931, Ganz constructed a lightweight Volkswagen^{[citation needed]} prototype at Adler with a tubular chassis, a mid-mounted engine, and swing axle independent rear suspension. After completion in May 1931, Ganz nicknamed his new prototype Maikäfer (German for cockchafer).^[1]

After a shift in management, further development of the Maikäfer was stopped towards the end of 1931 and Adler concentrated on new car models with front-wheel drive. Josef Ganz was allowed to keep the Maikäfer prototype and kept on using it as his personal car and demonstration model for his patented Volkswagen design until around 1950.

The Maikäfer today

In the 1990s, the original Maikäfer prototype was discovered in Switzerland by a German collector and restored to its original condition.

The Volkswagen Beetle connection

With the Ardie-Ganz, Adler Maikäfer and Standard Superior cars, as well as his progressive writings and promotion of the concept of a Volkswagen in Motor-Kritik magazine since the 1920s, Josef Ganz is claimed by some to be the inspiration behind the Volkswagen Beetle. But he could not build the car in Hitler's Germany, because he was Jewish. So Ferdinand Porsche, a designer much admired by Hitler, got to connect his name to the "People's Car" (Volkswagen) the regime needed to appease the masses.

New investigation

While the Volkswagen Beetle was produced in its millions after World War Two, the name of Josef Ganz was largely forgotten. In 2004, Dutch journalist Paul Schilperoord started researching the life and work of Josef Ganz. He has unearthed many new facts and is currently working on a new book and documentary.

Notes and references

1. ^ "Eine Seite "Maikäfer"", Motor-Kritik, issue 21, early November 1931.

External links

• Joseph Ganz Archive
• Joseph Ganz Foundation