PDA

View Full Version : 1949 BMW Veritas Cabriolet



Veritas49
10-26-2004, 11:00 AM
I am happy to be the new internet outreach person for a small museum in Glenview, IL which has in its collection a very rare (BMW) built 1949 Veritas Cabriolet 2 door conv. its powered by the BMW 328 and the body was built by Spohn Coachworks. Parked since 1971 and covered in dust, this one-of-a-kind custom built German sportscar was ordered for the 1950's TV show "Boston Blacky". We are now preparing to dig the Veritas out of the dark storage area and may be selling the car to the BMW Mobile Tradition museum . Happy to email you guys some photo's taken on October-16th 2004. The back design was taken from the German Jet fighter Messerschimtt, and later stolen by GM for its 1950 X-8 project car Le Saber.
Spohn Coachworks also buit custom bodies for Caddilac in the 50's.

McReis
10-26-2004, 11:07 AM
Happy to email you guys some photo's taken on October-16th 2004. The back design was taken from the German Jet fighter Messerschimtt, and later stolen by GM for its 1950 X-8 project car Le Saber.
Spohn Coachworks also buit custom bodies for Caddilac in the 50's.


Post those pics here, please.
Welcome.

Rockefella
10-26-2004, 12:16 PM
Everyone here at UCP would be thrilled if you posted the pics as attachments or to a link. :D

Wouter Melissen
10-27-2004, 02:25 AM
Welcome to the Ultimatecarpage.com forums! I'm very interested in seeing pictures of this Veritas. It sounds like a pretty unique, even for Veritas standards.

Veritas49
10-27-2004, 10:05 AM
Thank you guys for your interest, this 19.5 foot 328 BMW mill with 3 carbs is a custom built machine for a American client in 1948 for the new T.V. show "Boston Blacky" (I was born in 1960 so don't ask me) all I know it was some detective show in black +white. The special Spohn Coachworks is one-of-a-kind as you will see. Just to get everyone up to speed on this very rare German sportscar, first look at this site to give you an idea where it's been http://the-continuum.org/site-folder/hartungs-automuseum/index.html on the 3rd row is the back of the 49'
My images are stored at home so I will need some time to shoot them on this site. Feel free to email me for faster service and help me post them here.
So we all will be Veritas specialist. After WWII 3 ex-BMW engineers crawled out of the burning city after the B-17 went over and began to collect 1937-1940 328;s and re-build them into post-war german racing machines.Many rich american's knew about this and quickly ordered the super fast machine built by hand and we have one in Glenview, IL. I have been getting emails from the BMW Mobile Traditons Museum in Munch requesting the 49' numbers and photo's ~ they want their car back home.
Mike L.

netburner
10-28-2004, 03:16 AM
Would be nice if you could send me those pics to [email protected]
I will post them for you as soon as possible.

netburner
10-28-2004, 02:00 PM
I got the pictures and here they are:

1st pic: the interior (just as in a BMW 325)
2nd pic: a pic from "today"

netburner
10-28-2004, 02:04 PM
3rd pic: pic in the hall were it stands today
4th pic: the owner took it in his driveway in August 1965

jcp123
10-28-2004, 04:12 PM
Wow, that's awesome. Never thought I'd see fins on a German car, but hey, I've seen em on Ferraris so I guess this isn't a stretch of the imagination.

McReis
10-29-2004, 02:45 AM
I got the pictures and here they are:

1st pic: the interior (just as in a BMW 325)
2nd pic: a pic from "today"


Never seen a car like it before. It's very exuberant.

Is that a Honda CB four next to it?

Wouter Melissen
10-29-2004, 02:57 AM
That's a very interesting car. When was the body designed and built? It looks like a copy of the 1951 Buick LeSabre concept:
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame.php?file=car.php&carnum=912

netburner
10-29-2004, 05:52 AM
The back design was taken from the German Jet fighter Messerschimtt, and later stolen by GM for its 1950 X-8 project car Le Saber.
Spohn Coachworks also buit custom bodies for Caddilac in the 50's.


That's a very interesting car. When was the body designed and built? It looks like a copy of the 1951 Buick LeSabre concept:
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame.php?file=car.php&carnum=912


You see? :)

Wouter Melissen
10-29-2004, 05:56 AM
Silly me.

Keep us posted on the digging out of the car. We are very interested in featuring it on our main page when it's cleaned up and properly photographed! If that LeSabre claim is correct, then this is one very important vehicle!

Veritas49
10-29-2004, 07:00 AM
When I first saw the old BMW ~ I was like Itailian ? French ? ~ This was a custom order machine. American Officers find out about these cars when we occupied Germany. In 1949 this Car would have blown the doors off any American 48' or 49'.
Wait till you see the engine with the 3 carbs pointing up from the center. Front end is ugly but made to suck in air that flowed out the sides. These ex-BMW engineers must have designed the German Jet fighter Messerschmitt. Spohn Coachworks also was hired to design some 1953 Cadillac's. Top auction house RM Auctions in Ontario also wants to see the Veritas, and are flying in to Glenview, IL for a private tour. They just sold a 1930 Duesenberg for $880,000. last week. www.RMAuctions.com One Problem is when a strong offer come's in ~ owner will have to make the call, when that day will be 2005-2006 ? We said no to a $86K offer already. I believe the Veritas will in the BMW Mobile Traditions Museum in Munich by 2010.
Mike Luxem

<AAA-MOD>
10-29-2004, 07:46 AM
as you probably already know, RM has done some phenomenal restoration over the past few years. even if it's not sold to them, they would be my first choice to restore it.

i can see it now. about a year of restoration, collect Best in Show at Pebble Beach, then on to the BMW Mobile Traditions Museum.

Veritas49
10-29-2004, 07:52 AM
Cool ~Thanks AAA-MOD one guy said it was like locating a Tucker in a garage.

<AAA-MOD>
10-29-2004, 08:09 AM
Cool ~Thanks AAA-MOD one guy said it was like locating a Tucker in a garage.

They've had some very rare cars roll through their shops, including a couple Tuckers.

here's a some more of RM's recent work, that I've shot:
Horch that won Best in Show, Pebble Beach 2004 http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame.php?file=car.php&carnum=2062
Isotta Fraschini at the Canadian Concours 2004 http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/slide.php?num=1273
Alfa Romeo 8C at Pebble Beach 2004 http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/slide.php?num=1733

pdr
10-29-2004, 10:41 AM
Where is the museum in Glenview?

Veritas49
10-29-2004, 11:17 AM
Hartung Automotive and Licence plate muesum opened in 1971. Private-owned by one man. By appointment only. No website, answering machine and closed during winter. 2 mean Junk-yard guard dogs must be locked-up prior to visit.Glenview is 20 miles North of Chicago. Museum has no signage. Best kept secret in Chicago. Jay Leno(1990), Steve McQueen (1971) and many other have toured the small museum.
Mike Luxem

Veritas49
10-30-2004, 10:16 AM
Only thing GM changed on the 1951 LeSaber was the trunk outline is larger, besides that, they took the back of "Boston Blacky" 1949 Veritas ~ Spohn design right down to the lights, bumper, center chrome handle, 3 chrome lines on the same fin shape, and of course the Messerschmitt jet engine center, even the mid trunk straight shape that sets off the jet engine design is taken. I guess back in 1950 when the 51 was being built, Hey we won the war, what are the owners of Veritas going to do about it anyway.Ernest Loof the ex-BMW designer died from a brain clot in 1952. That was the end of Veritas Autoworks and the beginning of BMW part II. I would love to bring our 1949 Veritas and park it next to the 1951 Buick X-8. Its fun to re-write automotive history. Hey lets write a book ?
Mike Luxem Oct-2004

henk4
10-31-2004, 01:58 AM
what puzzles me is whether the two lower parts of the bumpers were used as exhausts, or is the small pipe on the left of the car the real exhaust, which would make sense as the BMW is an inline 6. Was the Buikc fitted with a V8 or also an in-line 8?

Veritas49
11-01-2004, 12:12 PM
when I looked under the 49' I saw large rusty pipes that did not connect to the bumper.

netburner
11-08-2004, 12:50 PM
I got some new pics from Veritas49 and here they are:

Matt
11-08-2004, 01:07 PM
Why haven't they dug this thing out yet?

sorter
12-11-2004, 02:24 PM
thanks

joeld323
01-07-2005, 08:15 PM
I have seen a green 49 veritas cabriolet and had the pleasure of working on it a few times. It place second in the concours de elegance a few years ago. Its fully restored but the body is different than the one pictured here.

QuattroMan
01-07-2005, 08:36 PM
Why haven't they dug this thing out yet?

tell me about it!! i will love to see this car done up man what a shame :rolleyes:

Matt
01-07-2005, 08:55 PM
I have seen a green 49 veritas cabriolet and had the pleasure of working on it a few times. It place second in the concours de elegance a few years ago. Its fully restored but the body is different than the one pictured here.

Any chance you could find some pictures of that...

Spastik_Roach
01-08-2005, 04:33 AM
That looks like an incredible car!

nzbear
01-11-2005, 12:04 AM
Thanks for the pics of the Veritas. Is in great condition by the look of it
Hop it ends up in Mobile Traditions Museum
nzbear

birling
09-08-2005, 10:06 AM
Hi,
can you send me a picture of the green Veritas ?

birling

StillOutThere
12-27-2009, 05:56 PM
Anything current on the status of the '49 BMW Veritas by Spohn?

Otto Weak
12-30-2009, 02:08 AM
Its fun to re-write automotive history.
Mike Luxem Oct-2004

Perhaps the only nugget of truth in the cleverly concocted 'conspiracy'.

Lots of assumptions here. It's important to note:

Spohn often re-bodied cars - even American Pontiac's, Mercury's, etc., some years after the donor cars were sold new. Many of them were commissioned by US military officers looking for a "unique" car to bring home to the States.

"Boston Blacky" was indeed a US TV show produced by Ziv Television Programs, which debuted in 1951, and ran until 1953 - after the Buick had begun to make the rounds of auto exhibits, newsreels, etc. The show featured the hero driving any number of wild cars. Why would Spohn construct a car in 1948 for a show that wouldn't debut until 1951? Did independent, syndicated programming producer Ziv have the dollars and wherewithal for a 3-year ramp-up of a low-bucks syndicated TV show?

I suggest a very simple solution to this "mystery". This probably is a re-bodied BMW, built by Spohn. However, it was constructed by Spohn in the early 1950's - consistent with that firm's practice of putting new bodies on whatever older rolling stock was given to them for re-work.

Assertions that Harley Earl cribbed the design from the Boston Blacky TV show that debuted after his car was publicly shown (also proving time travel is possible), and nobody noticed it, and nobody collected royalties from GM, and nobody exposed it as a rip-off until 2004, are far-fetched and silly.

And the "best kept secret" museum is plastered across the net on numerous lists of Illinois museums and landmarks, multiple Flickr photo collections, etc. The proprietor of the museum has been featured in TV show segments about his license plate collection.

49Vertias
07-21-2011, 09:43 PM
Long time owner of Hartung's Auto Museum has passed away. The 1949 Vertias BMW white conv is now for sale by estate as of Julu 21 2011

henk4
07-21-2011, 11:36 PM
Long time owner of Hartung's Auto Museum has passed away. The 1949 Vertias BMW white conv is now for sale by estate as of Julu 21 2011

sad to hear. Are there recent pictures available of the car? And is the typo in your user name (as well as in your post) intentional?

49Vertias
07-22-2011, 03:37 AM
Long time companion Marge has stated in our local newspaper "I am going to sell whatever I can to maximize my income"
Buying deep inside the museum, The Veritas wait's for her new life to begin at last
I am cleaning out all my accounts to have plenty of cash in pocket as the Hartung Museum is sold off. Wait until Jay Leno hears about this

henk4
07-22-2011, 04:00 AM
Long time companion Marge has stated in our local newspaper "I am going to sell whatever I can to maximize my income"
Buying deep inside the museum, The Veritas wait's for her new life to begin at last
I am cleaning out all my accounts to have plenty of cash in pocket as the Hartung Museum is sold off. Wait until Jay Leno hears about this


don't tell Jay yet, it might result in an increase in the prices that you may have to pay. ;)

49Vertias
07-24-2011, 04:25 AM
July 24 2011 Glenview,IL (Chicago) Hartung's Auto Museum is being sold off. A Huge Semi Trailer is staged in the area of the Front gate to the Museum.
Imagine the guy's who are cherry pickin Lee's collection this week, sad part is there is no record on what's going where. Marge must be stuffing all the fresh cash into her Subaru as one of the largest private collections quickly walks out the gate.
I don't care about the vintage bikes or all the model A & T's but its the really rare pieces that is sad to see removed for quick cash, wish Lee could see this ~ great planning man
I too will wave a pile of cash in marges face and see if she bites on my wish list of must haves, "How much for the 1949 BMW Veritas" with a smile

49Vertias
07-24-2011, 05:03 AM
Sunday July 24th Building walls still closed. The smell from the build fan was amazing ~ mixture of leather, metal and old smells ~ Even the Museum's smell is priceless

49Vertias
07-24-2011, 05:06 AM
July 24 2011 wonder why a semi trailer is parked here ?

49Vertias
07-24-2011, 05:57 AM
Story Lee Roy told me was he was sent to remove some old cars from a warehouse that was sold in Lincolnwood,IL where he found this strange looking sports car. He said "it was fast when he would race kids in the 1960's"

49Vertias
07-24-2011, 06:02 AM
I was like "Lee Roy can we look under the hood?" no he said "then I will have to clear off those pots and pans on the hood"
After my research I told Lee " I think BMW want's there car back in Germany"
He later yelled at me " Stop telling people about this car ! I'm getting calls in the middle of the night from some German guys asking about the Veritas !"

49Vertias
07-24-2011, 06:15 AM
Well my 2004 post about the Veritas going over seas by 2010 was only a year off ~ Goodby 49 can't wait to see your new home
The world is waiting for your re-birth

49Vertias
07-24-2011, 06:23 AM
email me direct for iPhone video update's on the Crime of the Century
Death of Hartung's Museum and the Lost Veritas
[email protected]
Q. Wonder why a semi trailer is parked at the front gate ? hmmm

49Vertias
07-24-2011, 06:31 AM
Good Buy and rest in peace

StillOutThere
07-25-2011, 08:22 AM
Condolences to Mrs. Hartung and other family and friends.

As weeks and months go forward it will be interesting to hear not only the story of the '49 Veritas with LeSabre-like custom tail by Spohn, but also of the other cars and all the small details of the museum inventory. There are surely "things" in there that haven't been seen in decades.

As we know, Spohn bodied many of the Veritas cars, perhaps comprising Spohn's largest single post WWII manufacturer's contract arrangement. The one Hartung owned, however, had the signature custom tail which became almost a trademark of late production Spohn customs. Is there any record what year Spohn actually did the custom tail work on the '49 Veritas chassis? After all, the GM LeSabre concept car was first shown in Europe in 1950.

I have a vested interest in Spohn customs with my '53 which is an earlier Ford chassis.

csl177
07-25-2011, 09:50 AM
Was the Spohn car sold... and was it a "good buy"?

gildermechanic
08-10-2011, 06:30 PM
email me direct for iPhone video update's on the Crime of the Century
Death of Hartung's Museum and the Lost Veritas
[email protected]
Q. Wonder why a semi trailer is parked at the front gate ? hmmm

Q. Why don't you go there when people are there instead of sneaking around taking pictures when nobody is there and find out whats inside. I'm sure the contents of thousands of old junk tires would astound you! Maybe that's why there also isn't a lock on the trailer!

AMGRoadster
08-29-2011, 10:31 PM
Just a little bit on the Veritas:

In 1949 the first Veritas vehicles were produced and were capable for normal road use with the introduction of the Komet coupe which was basically a racing Veritas RS that was made street legal. Following the coupe was a much more civilized 2x2 Saturn coupe and Scorpio cabriolet.

A concept was unveiled in 2001, the Veritas RS3 which featured some design cues that had been taken from boats, in which Venturi had explored in that market at one time. Thankfully he had been well received. The concept used a BMW sourced 6.0 liter V-12 that was producing 670 horsepower. The Vermot AG was released in 2008. And production and testing began in early 2008 with the RS III. This vehicle has been spotted testing on tracks in May of 2008 and a general release date has been scheduled for the end of 2008 for the Vermot AG. This model runs on a BMW sourced 5.0 liter V-19 engine that generates 600 horsepower.

StillOutThere
09-06-2011, 07:35 AM
The Hartung collection, including the Veritas by Spohn will be auctioned November 2011.

Hartung collection to go to auction at Hemmings Blog: Classic and collectible cars and parts (http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2011/09/06/hartung-collection-to-go-to-auction/)

The Lee Roy Hartung Collection - Auctions America (http://auctionsamerica.com/events/event.cfm?SaleCode=LH11)

49Vertias
09-14-2011, 06:39 AM
The Lee Roy Hartung Collection Glenview (Chicago) IL Museum will be Auction this Nov 3rd-4th and 5th. http://www.AuctionsAmerican.com The massive collection collected over 50 years with be thrown into a quick 3 day auction sale, piled under all the low end "junk" is rare gems waited to be removed from there bunker since parked in 1969. I can not wait to see the 1949 BMW Veritas Cabriolet Coach by Spohn have the old TV, pots and pans removed form its hood to see the engine in the light of day. Rob Myers of RM Auction just might hold the Veritas for a slight reserve and keep if the price fails to reach the $200K mark, I will be there with video phone in hand, Credit Card and $5K in pocket low bidding on all the odds and ends after the gems are sold and trailered off. I'm glad its a fast paced "fire-Sale" which will happen so fast those 3 days in November ~ They should have waited for this Spring 2012 and really taken the proper time to lay everything out in a huge warehouse. Whats the hurry ?
Bad economy, hurry-up sale just might be my greats buy ever !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cash will be King in 60 days

49Vertias
09-14-2011, 06:55 AM
Hartungs 1949 Veritas / Spohn Cabriolet Quiz 2011

1. Do the doors open from the front, back or slide into the rear quarter panels ?
2. Steering wheel is from the 1938 BMW ? yes or no
3. The Veritas Spohn body is made out of what material ?
4. The wheels have 4 or 5 lugs or are knock-off ?
5. Why is there a small red light in the rear center ?
6. 4 speed 5 speed or 6 speed ?
7. The Converitable top is made of what fabric ?
8. Why was the Veritas found outside of Chicago ?
9. Did Lee Roy ever drive the Veritas ?
10. How much will it be sold for this November 2011 ?

49Vertias
09-17-2011, 10:58 AM
Hartung Auto Museum pre-auction "pull everything out" happen Today Sept-17th 2011 picture perfect day Sunny cool 67 degrees with light lake breeze. The Veritas is resting behind the tent for the first time in the sun light since parked in 1970.

49Vertias
09-17-2011, 11:01 AM
356192

49Vertias
09-17-2011, 11:04 AM
The big tent is up in the front yard and for the first time, Hartungs Museum is torn apart

49Vertias
09-17-2011, 11:07 AM
Soon to be shipped off and restored, The old Veritas sits as the auction set-up begins to take shape

49Vertias
09-17-2011, 11:18 AM
Many treasures being removed for the old building, sad Lee could not have been part of this Historic sell-off of his lifes work, I many need a new bank loan for this November Auction

49Vertias
09-17-2011, 11:22 AM
Unreal its outside

49Vertias
09-18-2011, 08:07 AM
Sunday Sept 19th 2011 9am Chicago, The Veritas is now ready to be sold this November, Contact RM Auction's to set-up your online bidding number

StillOutThere
09-19-2011, 04:38 AM
Hartungs 1949 Veritas / Spohn Cabriolet Quiz 2011

1. Do the doors open from the front, back or slide into the rear quarter panels ?
2. Steering wheel is from the 1938 BMW ? yes or no
3. The Veritas Spohn body is made out of what material ?
4. The wheels have 4 or 5 lugs or are knock-off ?
5. Why is there a small red light in the rear center ?
6. 4 speed 5 speed or 6 speed ?
7. The Converitable top is made of what fabric ?
8. Why was the Veritas found outside of Chicago ?
9. Did Lee Roy ever drive the Veritas ?
10. How much will it be sold for this November 2011 ?

As an owner of a '40 Ford with 1952 custom coachwork by Spohn including similar "Le Sabre tail" as employed on the Veritas, I'll take my best shot at replying to these questions. I can't answer all.

1. In earliest photos believed to be of this car (one attached), the door handle is shown and it opens from the front. The doors are hinged at the rear.
3. Spohn did all their body construction in steel with the exception of one prototype for Volkswagen called the "Plastik" which was fiberglass.
5. The rear center red lamp almost certainly is a brake light.
7. The cabriolet top likely has been replaced in the early years. Spohn would have used one of the German canvas materials specific for this application such as Haartz cloth. A swatch trimming cut off was found under the seats of my car which was black Haartz.
10. Current market value as deemed by bidders. This is a well publicized auction known world wide. The Veritas may be the star attraction due to its heritage chassis and customization by the Spohn Carosserie.

49Vertias
09-19-2011, 06:41 AM
Go to YouTube and search; Hartung3

This is the last ever video inside the Hartung Museum Glenview,IL filmed sometime in Aug 2011, the museum is no more. empty. finished. period.

The camera man finds the Veritas in all its dusty messy glory and really rolls some great footage. The Veritas is now inside a Huge Circus Tent waiting for its new collector to rescue her out of Glenview,IL and soon to the World stage.

csl177
09-19-2011, 07:33 AM
49Veritas, I'm curious about your apparent obsession with this car. Spohn built several autos with similar features cribbed from Harley Earl, principally the tail. While I can appreciate it's rarity, to be blunt it's rather ungainly. What attracts you to it? :)

49Vertias
10-06-2011, 08:46 AM
What a day to finally see the 1949 BMW powerplant
Number 5098 Original engine # 97812 ~ 49,800 Kilometers
And Yes the doors slid into the rear quarters
See all the photo's on RM Auctions Auctions America by RM (http://www.AuctionsAmerica.com)
Lee Roy Hartung Collection Lot List is now online

The hood was closed for 41 years, glad its all there, imagine the sound when she fires up next year !

henk4
10-06-2011, 11:32 AM
TBH, now seeing more pics of the car I have difficulties in joining you in your enthusiasm. Yes the BMW engine is original and will probably run. (like many in the 250 or so still existing 328s) but the body requires a very acquired taste, certainly compared to what Veritas themselves produced.
It is unique, but I am inclined to say: thanks God. It was certainly not Spohn's best day in the office.

f6fhellcat13
10-06-2011, 01:58 PM
It looks great in its dilapidated state, certainly much much better than a mintyfresh one.
That said, those overhangs (and the rest of the proportions) are still pretty dreadful.

csl177
10-06-2011, 03:04 PM
I agree, Henk and f6f, definately not one of Spohn better efforts. The headlight covers are interesting, but the front as a whole is hard to look at. The homebuilt quality and styling exagerations will be almost cartoonish when it's fully restored. I guess a few coachbuilt collectors are interested, but can't imagine extreme bidding competition for it.

49Veritas, are you sure about the doors sliding into the rear? The wheel well looks too close for that, and as the door handles are at the front, wouldn't work the other way like a Kaiser Darrin. Would like to see pics of them open, looks like suicide doors to me. :confused:

sanderson
10-10-2011, 03:12 AM
I agree with you Mcreis.Friends have no price because they are priceless things.

StillOutThere
10-10-2011, 05:02 AM
There is no way in the world those door can slide INTO the rear quarter panels gentlemen; there is a bare matter of inches prior to the wheel well. Now perhaps it is multiple hinged to slide along the outside of the quarter but without a carrier track for the weight of the steel door this would be a mechanical marvel. Unlikely also they would slide forward due to necessity of structural steel for the cowl. This is no fiberglass Kaiser Darrin.

There are to the best of my research only a small handful of postwar Spohn used-chassis customized cars (to owner taste) that still exist. I count four including one I own. Yes, there are numerous prewar Spohn bodied new-chassis coachbuilt cars. Granted the prewar styled cars, when Spohn had a staff exceeding 150 people including craftsmen and designers were superior to postwar efforts which combine owner-chosen design elements.

But should a Spohn build such as this particular Veritas be lost to a scratch re-body by modern craftsmen? I argue that it should not. It is an emBODYment of the owner's desires and Spohn Carosserie capability for the year it was built.

Keep in mind this is a 1949 Veritas chassis. In 1949 this model SP-90 would have had a Veritas-cataloged body by Spohn. It looked like several other Veritas 90s of the day. This car would have had to have gone BACK to Spohn after the 1951 Munich Auto Show where the GM /Harley Earl /Le Sabre concept car was shown. It was THEN that the owner asked for the customization to include the Le Sabre tail fins. Likely the body we view was crafted during 1952.

Someone is going to purchase this Veritas at the Hartung /Chicago auction in November. Full and proper diligent consideration must be given to whether the coachwork should be changed. Again, I contend IT SHOULD NOT.

henk4
10-10-2011, 06:55 AM
I agree with you Mcreis.Friends have no price because they are priceless things.

where did Hugo say that?

superleggera
10-13-2011, 12:57 PM
anyone have pictures of the chassis by chance -- is it Veritas or BMW?

henk4
10-13-2011, 01:27 PM
anyone have pictures of the chassis by chance -- is it Veritas or BMW?

the chassis number is Veritas, so unless they restamped an 85000 car, it should be a Veritas.

superleggera
10-14-2011, 06:41 PM
the chassis number is Veritas, so unless they restamped an 85000 car, it should be a Veritas.

Many chassis were restamped. I have one racecar here currently that is and have seen several others. Thus why looking for pictures of the frame itself (and suspension) and what the 85### section of the frame looks like.

Elaine11
11-11-2011, 11:59 PM
Veritas was the work of Ernst Loof, Georg Meier and Lorenz Dietrich. Dietrich had worked for BMW, while Meier was a winner of the 1939 motorcycle Tourist Trophy, and Loof was also a motorcycle champ who had managed BMW’s sports department. After World War II, the trio decided to build a car based on BMW components. Since the Allied Forces occupying Germany would not allow the manufacture of engines larger than one liter, customers were to bring their own drivetrains, which would be installed at the factory in Hausern.

A road-going version of the Veritas was launched in 1949. Coupe, cabriolet and sports roadster styles were available, all bodied by Hermann Spohn Karosseriebau of Ravensburg, whose work was principally found on Maybach chassis. Engines were from BMW, either stock or modified 326
units or powerplants from the 328. BMW objected to the use of their name on cars not of their manufacture, so the cars were soon rebadged simply as Veritas.

Spohn became enamored of Harley Earl’s Le Sabre concept car and turned out several custom cars with Le Sabre-type rear fins and taillights. This all-original example is believed to have been returned to Spohn for such modifications, which included installation of fender skirts. It was also fitted with an upper grille assembly in the nose.

In time-warp overall condition, the Hartung Spohn is a truly a barn find car and remains entirely original, waiting for its next owner’s enthusiastic direction.

StillOutThere
02-03-2012, 10:32 AM
Does anyone know the purchaser of the Hartung Spohn Custom Veritas? If the plans are to replace the custom work with a more race-oriented body version, there are Spohn Custom owners interested in the throw-aways.