Est. 7 hp, 125 cc Hirth two-stroke, single-cylinder engine, rear cable brakes. Length: 93 in.

• Rare example of an amusement park microcar

• Meticulous restoration

Generally credited with developing the signature BMW kidney grille, the Ihle brothers, Frank and Thomas, of Bruchsal, Germany, also built such racing cars as a competition variant of the BMW Dixie. After selling their racing car business to BMW, they established “Gebr. Ihle,” which translates to “the brothers Ihle,” aimed at producing cars for amusement parks and fairs.

These cars are extremely rare and collectible, especially in the ever-popular microcar segment of the hobby, represented by the astonishing diminutive cars built in Europe after WWII, primarily in the 1950s, powered by single- and two-cylinder engines of limited displacement and intended for practical, affordable city driving. This particular car is powered by a Hirth two-stroke, single-cylinder motor producing about 7 horsepower, accessed through a simulated spare tire cover at the rear. With a length of only 93 inches and a weight of only about 600 lbs., it is a delightfully sprightly little motor car, finished in red and blue with one of two available front nose sections from Ihle, the other of which was simply intended to create some model differentiation in Ihle’s lineup.

Slowing down from a projected top speed of about 25 mph is accomplished via rear cable brakes. As this particular Schottenring car has been restored to perfection and is one of a very limited few examples in existence, it should be considered your grandchild’s first rare and desirable collector car in their collection!