When curtains fall

Forgot to mention - most interesting car currently in Romania is probably the Duesnberg Straight Eight racer at the national technical museum, or the 1924 Persu Streamliner also there.

There are still several hundred pre-war cars in Romania - over 400 documented and probably as many still to be found. However most of them are quite ordinary models and probably 70% are in bad condition - the 130 looks, frankly, extrordinarily well-preserved compared to most of the pre-war vehicles there, many of which were in daily use until the 70s and consequently horribly modified. Indeed, I know of three cars which were in daily use till the 90s and one - an Opel Super Six - was going well into the 21st century.

The really rare stuff is gone - including several Bugattis, two Mercedes W154 racers, two SS100s, an Alfa 8C 2.9 by Touring(http://volganeagra.blogspot.com/2010/11/alfa-romeo-29-touring-1942.html), and a SSK Mercedes. These were largely exported during Communism, while other interesting models were sold abroad after 1990. Of course, other cars like the ex-royal 540K and Riga Packard left as war trophies further East. But there are still some interesting - and now rare - smaller European makes around, as well as American cars from the late 30s. And every so often the odd exciting barn-find turns up!

I have been writing a book on pre- war luxury cars and noted that the Austro Daimlers and the enormous Tatra V12 had backbone frames, but the Mercedes 130 is a rare period example of this in the 'family car' category. It was really a comercial failure and up to early 1936 only 4,300 were made. This was largely because it was too expensive and it could not compete with the up- coming VW Beetle that was to be marketed at 990 Reichmarks. In England the 130 cost more than £400,or about £50 more than, say, a hansom and fast Riley Kestral 14/6. The 130 could manage a respectable 57mph, but its overhanging 1308cc engine caused the 'tail to wag the dog', so it was not a good car for inexperienced drivers. Romania is still quite a poor country, but I hope not all its automotive treasures have to be exported 'to make ends meet'. The 130 was a modest car- but is now rare, and a 'treasure' in its way. This one may look rough, but it seems to be quite complete and original.