Cabriowagen

The Cabriowagen is a type of small, three-wheeled motor vehicle that was produced in the United Kingdom from 1939 to 1955. It was designed by Colonel John Charles Lambert, a British army officer who was also an inventor and entrepreneur. The Cabriowagen was intended to be a lightweight, affordable, and fuel-efficient vehicle for personal transportation.

The initial model of the Cabriowagen was powered by a 200cc Villiers two-stroke engine, producing 6 horsepower. It had a three-speed manual transmission and a top speed of around 50 mph. The vehicle had a distinctive window enclosed body with a folding rear seat and a small luggage compartment.

During World War II, production of the Cabriowagen was suspended due to the War Effort, but it resumed in 1947. The post-war model of the Cabriowagen was fitted with a more powerful 245cc Villiers engine and a four-speed manual transmission. The design of the vehicle remained largely unchanged, with the exception of some minor cosmetic updates.

The Cabriowagen was marketed as a practical and economical way to travel short distances, and it was popular among budget-conscious consumers in the UK. However, the vehicle's market share and production numbers were overshadowed by more conventional four-wheeled cars. The last Cabriowagens were produced in 1955, marking the end of an era for this innovative and quirky vehicle. Despite its limited production and popularity, the Cabriowagen remains an interesting footnote in the history of British motor vehicle design.