Meet the Owner – Ian Evans and his Zündapp Janus

A 1958 Zündapp is not the ideal vehicle for motorists who wish to maintain a low profile. Whenever Ian Evans goes for a spin, the reaction of other road users, along with many pedestrians, is ‘what on earth is that?’ – or words to that effect. Yet the Janus is one of Germany’s most fascinating micro-cars, as well as one of the rarest.

Sixty-seven years ago, the Nuremberg motorcycle manufacturer commissioned the aircraft designer Dornier to create a four-wheeled transport that was both compact and affordable. The result was the 1957 Janus 750, with a 245cc two-stroke single-cylinder engine mounted between the bench seats and, most notably, doors fore and aft.

The first and only car from Zündapp could accommodate four adults on benches that could be arranged to form a double bed. Luggage was carried in door-mounted pockets or on the roof. The English-language brochure boasted ‘the Janus allows anybody sitting on the rear seats ample legroom and unobstructed views in all directions’.

The Zündapp was sophisticated by the standards of 1950s micro-cars, with its four-speed transmission, all-independent suspension, a 12-volt electrical system and rack & pinion steering. The accommodation was also more versatile than a rival Isetta or Heinkel, but fewer than 7,000 examples left the factory before production ceased in October 1958.

One drawback was the comparatively high price, and another was that it debuted as the German Wirtschaftswunder (‘economic miracle’) was well underway. Had the Janus made its bow in 1954, it might have stood more chance of success, but three years later, motorists were now more likely to consider a VW Beetle or a Glas Goggomobil. BMW experienced the same issue with their 600.

A handful of Zündapps were exported to the USA and about three to the UK. One was displayed at the 1957 Earls Court Motor Show. William Boddy of Motor Sport made a passing reference to ‘the distinctly-odd Janus dwarfed by vast Pontiacs on the same stand’. British sales would have inevitably presented a challenge, as four wheels meant they could not be driven by anyone who held a motorcycle licence.

Ian acquired his example ‘about four or five years ago when I won it on eBay’. The before and after pictures will give an idea of his future challenges. The first problem was that ‘the bodywork was shot – it needed new floor pans, outer sills, and wheel arches’. The second was that the Evan Janus came with a wiper blade ‘and that was it’. The cabin did retain the seat frames, but there was very little interior trim aside from that. Such was the scarcity of spare parts that Ian had to travel to Denmark to acquire vital components.

Today the Zündapp looks as though it has only recently left the showroom. As far as performance is concerned, Ian remarks that a 45 mph top speed is probably ‘pushing it. The Janus is a nice car to drive, but it is incredibly noisy. I’ve tried my hardest with extra sound deadening, but it did not have much effect’. Still, it is hard to resist the appeal of a vehicle that does look as though it is simultaneously coming and going.

And nor is the Janus the only car in the Evans collection, for he is also the proud owner of a Fiat 600 Multipla, an Isetta and other fine machines. But that is another story…

With Thanks To: Ian Evans

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