Veritas BMW – 1950
Marca : Veritas
Modello : BMW
Anno : 1950
Telaio N. : 5089
Motore N. : 97812
Esemplari prodotti : one-off
Carrozzeria : spohn
Motore : 6 cilindri in linea BMW
Cilindrata : 1.971 cc
Distribuzione : OHV
Valvole Cilindro : 2
Alimentazione : 3 carburatori
Potenza : 80 CV a 4.500 giri/min
Top speed Km/h :
Auction Result
2011 – Auctionamerica by RM – $ 195.500
From 1948 to 1950, the Veritas was the two liter car to beat on the European racing scene. The Veritas-BMW Hemi six-cylinder engine and four-speed transmission outclassed and out ran the competition during these years, collecting 30 victories and eight National Championships.
This unique Spohn-bodied version is certainly a most unique Veritas. The SP-90's dramatic tail fins and long hood are unique among all other Veritas models.
This car was secluded in the late Lee Hartung Collection for over 50 years. Lee purchased the car in the early 1960's from R.J. Mrofka. Mrofka's brother had brought the car to the United States from Germany in 1959. It remains in ‘as found' condition, with only a mechanical rebuild.
Ernst Loof, Georg Meier and Lorenz dietrich founded the West German Company named Veritas. All three of these individuals brought a wealth of experience. Meier had won the 1939 motorcycle Tourist trophy and Loof was also a motorcycle champion. Loof's resume included a management position in BMW's sports department and Dietrich had also worked for the BMW Company.
After World War II came to a close, these three individuals began modifying and building vehicles based on BMW components. Since the Allied Forces occupying Germany restricted engine manufacturing to a maximum of one liter, customers would bring their own drivetrain, which would be installed at the factory in Hausern.
In 1949, the Veritas Company introduced a road-going Komet coupe which was little more than a racing Veritas RS made street legal. This was soon followed by a coupe, cabriolet and sports roadster body styles. The body work was performed by Hermann Spohn Karosseriebau of Ravensburg, known for their work on Maybach chassis. The engines were from BRMW in either stock or modified 326 units or powerplants from the 328.
Since BMW did not allow the use of their name on cars not of their manufacture, the vehicles were rebadged as Veritas.
This 1950 BMW-Veritas was the work of Hartung Spohn using design inspiration from harley earl's Le Sabre concept car. It is an all-original example that is believed to have been returned to Spohn for modifications which included installation of fender skirts and upper grille assembly in the nose. Currently, the car is in original ‘barn find' condition.
