As a poster child for misplaced optimism, it would be hard to better the Glas 2600 V8. Estimates vary as to how many of these Pietro Fruastyled coupés were built between its pre-emptive 1965 Frankfurt launch and spring '68 demise we'll settle for 657 production cars, split 264:393 in favour of the 3-litre version built after BMW gobbled up the Dingolfing-based company in 1967. Suitably modernised, the Bavarian plant would be the home of the 5 Series post-1972. But as well as increased production capacity and manpower-BMW captured fresh technical talent in the form of gifted Glas chief engineer Karl Dompert, and some valuable patents: the great claim to fame of this now almost-forgotten independent German manufacturer is the invention of the toothed nylon timing belt.
What BMW didn't want to do was to keep making Glas cars. When it took over, only the faithful little Goggomobil was making money, and it was the last of the range to get the chop.
Hans Glas GmbH had been a family affair, with 4000 employees. It had ridden the wave of the post-war German economic miracle but ended up building too many different models while lacking the capital to scale up production and pose a real threat to more established makes.
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Denne historien er fra August 2022-utgaven av Classic & Sports Car.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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RAY HILLIER
Double-chevron oddity proves a break from the norm for this Crewe specialist
SHORT BACK & GLIDES
Eccentric enthusiast Captain RG McLeod's series of Manx-tailed Bentley Specials reached its zenith with this unique S2 Continental.
People's choice
The diminutive but multi-million-selling Fiat 850 packed a remarkable diversity of form and function into its compact footprint
PLASTIC BREAKS FROM THE NORM
Glassfibre revolutionised niche car-body production, but just occasionally strayed into the mainstream.
A SENSIBLE SUPERCAR
The cleverly conceived four-seater Elite secured Lotus a place at the big players' table, but has it been unfairly maligned since then?
"I had a habit of grabbing second place from the jaws of victory"
From dreams of yachting glory to the Le Mans podium, via a stint at the top of the motorsport tree, Howden Ganley had quite the career
Still going strong
Herbert Engineering staked its reputation on the five-year warranty that came with its cars. A century on, this Two Litre hasn't made a claim
One for the kids
General Motors was aiming squarely at the youth market with the launch of the Pontiac GTO 60 years ago, and its runaway success popularised the muscle-car movement
A NEW BREED OF HERO
Launched at the turn of the millennium, the GT3 badge has already earned a place alongside RS, CS and turbo in Porsche lore.
Brits with SIX appeal
The straight-six engine is synonymous with a decades-long legacy of great British sports cars. Six variations on the sextet theme convene for comparison
