MAUSER MONOTRACE

(1925-1928)


By Rob Arndt




This two-wheeled car was manufactured in France from 1925 to 1928, under license from Mauser of Germany. Yes, the Mauser armaments manufacturer, although negotiated through Einspur Auto.

Einspur means “Single Track” and ‘Monotrace” means the same in French.

 

The Monotrace had two retractable stabilizer wheels, with a single passenger situated directly behind the driver (unlike the remarkable Sabella tandem car of 1913, where the driver sat behind the passenger).

 

The Monotrace solved the problem of coming to a halt without falling over by having two small extra wheels (complete with mudguards) that were lowered by means of a elongated hand lever when stopping. The wheels were swiveled upwards rather than being retracted into the body, so even if the driver forgot to lower the wheels when stopping (it must have happened) the car would tilt but not fall over completely.





It was powered by a 510cc single cylinder motor. Very few were made and even fewer survive today.

 

La Monotrace was manufactured in St. Etienne, France.

 

One example was restored by Koehler AG, Reidtwil and now resides in a museum.




Koehler AG, Reidtwil

 

 

 



 

RESTORED MONOTRACE




Color shot of the strange 2-wheeler on the road




A Monotrace in a museum




Note bizarre semi-circular steering wheel with wooden grips




The Monotrace, showing a stabilizer wheel cocked in the air, and the fishtail silencer




The Monotrace cockpit.

The handle of the lever for lowering the stabilizer wheels can be seen just above the seat back.




The Monotrace had a single cylinder, 85mm x 90mm side-valve engine, a three-speed gearbox, and two chains in series to transfer the drive to the rear wheel.
Actual hp is unknown.




The Monotrace chassis with engine installed.

The big lever for lowering the stabilizer wheels is on the left. Judging by the size of it, considerable force was needed. The rear of the chassis is to the right.


MODERN DAY MONOTRACE





Model Xenia sits on an extravagant Monotrace Bike at the Motor Show in Essen, Germany, Monday, 22 November 2004. The bike with two wheels of a different size is powered by a 150 hp Yamaha engine.

Notice the rear drop wheels which are retracted while the bike is on its stand. In operation they drop down for stability just like the old vehicle… which begs the question, “Is this an odd motorcycle or a modern 2-wheeled car?”




Xenia Seeberg Model





PERAVES MONO TRACER 

FACTS & FIGURES

Vehicle body & structure
 
Self-supporting composite-monocoque made from glass, kevlar and carbon weave bonded with epoxy-resin and reinforced with strong aluminium crash and roll bars. Engine frame, steering head and stabilizer axles made from aircraft grade alloy steel. Front suspension Marzocchi 50mm USD-fork, rear Monolever shaft swingarm.
Gull-wing door with integrated sunroof, opening to the left.
Glazing made from tinted PMMA in aviation quality.
200 liter baggage compartment


Mechanics

4 cylinder in-line BMW K-engine 1171cc, 16 valves, liquid cooling.
Dry reinforced single plate clutch. Sequential PG-gearbox with 4 forward speeds and
electrically locked reverse, shifted by push-button selector on left handlebar. Automatic clutch optional.
Reinforced BMW shaft drive. 3 x 320mm brake discs with 4-piston-hydraulic callipers, fully integrated electronic
ABS. Ceramic brake discs and brake pads, ASP anti spin control optional.
Computer-supervised electrically operated stabilizer servo system,
with a deployment time of less than half a second (Semi-automatic, hydraulically operated "softmode" system optional).

Equipment + Accessories

Contoured seats with 3-point automatic safety belts.
Interior lining in high-tech material with sound-absorbing padding.
Heating + ventilation system with ample flow and intake air filter.
Full air-conditioning optional.
GPS-RDS-4LSP-audio-system.
"Tempomat" cruise control, Bi-Xenon-lights, CD-players optional.

Operation

Motorcycle-type handlebars with extra functions. Clutch pedal, gear and stabilizer switches on left, integrated brake operation by right foot pedal, auxiliary brake lever and conventional throttle on right hand.

Technical Specifications

Dry weight: 460-485 kgs. (1014-1069 lbs.) depending on options chosen
Maximum load: 685 kgs. (1510 lbs.)
50 liter (14 US gallon) fuel tank

Dimensions: Length = 3.65m (12 ft.), Width = 1.25 m (4 ft. 1") with Stabilizers up, 1.40m (4 ft. 7") with Stabilizers down, Height = 1.52m (5 ft.)
Service interval: 25,000 km / 15,000 miles or annually (whichever comes first)
Engine power output 96 kW / 130 HP at 8750 rpm, max. torque 117 Nm at 6750 rpm
Motronic-controlled injection and 3-way catalytic converter. Acceleration 0-100 kph (0-62 mph) = 5.7 sec. Top speed in excess of 250 kph. (155 mph) Stopping distance: 100kph-0 = 43 meters (141 ft.)
Turning circle between walls 8.5 meters (28 ft.) Fuel consumption (ISO 7118):
4.15 liters/100km at constant 90 kph (57 mpg at constant 56 mph)
5.05 liters/100km at constant 120 kph (47 mpg at constant 75 mph)

Basic price ex factory 52,500 Euros (+ local VAT)

2 year warranty on whole machine; in addition, there is a 25 year warranty on the composite body and metal framework



PERAVES ECOMOBILE


This unusual vehicle is manufactured by the Swiss company Peraves. The Ecomobile is essentially an enclosed motorcycle. The power for the Ecomobile originates from a rear mounted liquid cooled 4 cylinder BMW K series motorcycle engine.

When in turbocharged form it has a claimed, and rather disturbing, top speed of 202 miles per hour. Inside are two leather covered car style seats, and all the equipment expected in a luxury car.



STRANGE VEHICLES
OF
PRE-WAR GERMANY & THE THIRD REICH
(1928-1945)



 

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