[…] board that year were Ledwinka-inspired backbone-framed cars that integrated their in-line engines with their frames for front-wheel drive, adding independent rear suspension as well.1921 after its chief was inspired by the exhibits at that year’s Berlin show. Under its general manager Wilhelm Wittig, Zündapp roared to success, producing 100,000 motorcycles in its fi rst dozen years. Wittig was Ganz’s doorkeeper at Zündapp, which in 1924 had toyed with the idea of assembling a German version of a small Brit- ish Rover at a plant in Munich. At Nürnberg, however, an initially warm welcome turned cooler with Germany’s economic malaise. In the next year, however, Ganz gained the support of another motorcycle maker, Ardie. No editor could have been prouder than Josef Ganz when the mid-September 1930 issue of his magazine pictured him at the wheel of the fi rst car built to his principles. “The idea of this car,” he said, “was to prove my point that a small car could be made which would be comfortable and handle well over all kinds of roads. It did this with a vengeance.” Like Zündapp, Ardie was unable to take his concept forward. In 1931, however, an established auto maker, Frankfurt’s Adler, produced a much-improved prototype to Ganz’s designs. Dubbed the Maikäfer (or May-bug), appropriately enough the 560-pound runabout was fi rst tested in May 1931. It too was ultimately rejected by its builders. A cheery image of Ganz may date from his post-war activity with A cheery image of Ganz may date from his post-war activity with Holden […]