THE AACC VISITS MICROCAR MUSEUM
JANUARY 2013
The Allante Atlanta Crew took a final opportunity to view the Bruce Weiner in Madison Georgia before it was closed earlier this year, 2013. All of the cars viewed by our members have been sold through auction and the museum is now closed. It was a great opportunity for those of us who made the trip. One final opportunity to see a collection of over 200 microcars'. Oh, he also has a bunch of deadly chewing gum from 1850 just sitting around. We believe but cannot confirm they were sold in the auction as well?
Who was Bruce Weiner? A serial collector in an age when people whose freezers are overloaded with dead cats get their own A&E show, Bruce is unequivocally not a hoarder. He draws a very thick line not made of dead cats between "true collectors" -- people like himself who gain a uniquely deep and nuanced understanding of a given thing, then devote themselves to acquiring only the finest examples of them....
The microcar, a vehicle born out of need, was a child of its time and became the symbol of a people's spirit. When World War II came to an end in 1945 and Europe lay in ruins. A shell-shocked population came out of the bomb shelters and faced an unimaginable scene of devastation and ruin. As if the seemingly endless task of clearing away the rubble wasn't enough, there were crippling shortages of food, raw materials, electricity and gas. Value and worth were measured in Chesterfield cigarettes. The population collectively rolled up its sleeves and went to work. The astonishing rebuilding of an entire continent over a period of ten years was accomplished through a unity of spirit and purpose unimaginable today.
Bright, talented engineers, many out of the former aircraft industry, put their minds to the problems of mobilizing the population under adverse conditions. It's said that the true master reveals himself within limitations and so this focusing of energy and talent resulted in an enormous variety of small vehicles; some successful, others less so - but all of them interesting!
The microcar or "bubble car" came to symbolize this period of renewed energy and pulling together. The bubble car boom lasted only a decade, but the period left a lasting impression even on those who abandoned their Kabinenroller for a "real" car. The cars continue to be found in barns and collections throughout the world but are particularly meaningful to the Europeans, whose lifestyle was, in part, made possible by these tiny cars.
As always' we encourage each of our members to contact us abour sponsoring a trip in 2013 or beyond. Please plan carefully to maximize attendance and be sure to include details, our members like to plan ahead and prefer at least, a high level plan. You can reach out to us on the Contacts page.
Zip Zoom Zip! See you next time.
Paula Vopelak - Vice President
Members on Trip
Linda and Norman Penfield
Paula and Russ Vopelak
Brenda and Art Sevelius
Darlene and Bud Neidig