The Double Racer (German: Rennzweier) is a race car manufactured by the Nesselsdorfer Wagenbau-Fabriksgesellschaft (NW), now Tatra, in 1900. It is sometimes also called First Racing, 12 HP, or Race Car (German: Rennwagen). It was commissioned by Baron Theodor von Liebieg [cs]. Hans Ledwinka, the man behind the famous rear-engined Tatras, and at the time only 20 years old, helped in the production of the car. The car was designed and built in a five week period in April and May 1900. The Rennzweier was the first car designed specifically for racing to be built in Central Europe.[2]

Nesselsdorfer Wagenbau-Fabriks-Gesellschaft Rennzweier
Overview
ManufacturerNesselsdorfer Wagenbau-Fabriks-Gesellschaft
today Tatra
Production1900
AssemblyNesselsdorf, Margraviate of Moravia, Cisleithania
Body and chassis
ClassRace car
Body styleRunabout
LayoutMR layout
Powertrain
Engine4,250 cc (259 cu in) 130 mm × 160 mm (5.1 in × 6.3 in) bore/stroke[1] water-cooled flat-twin Benz[2]
Power output12 hp (8.9 kW) at 650 rpm[3]
Transmission4-speed[4]
Dimensions
Wheelbase1,850 mm (73 in)
Width1,375 mm (54.1 in)
Curb weight975 kg (2,150 lb)
Chronology
PredecessorPräsident

In 1994, a 2 commemorative stamp featuring the Rennzweier, designed by Bedřich Housa [cs], was issued.[5][6][7][8]

Background

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Front view
 
Side view


After the production of its first automobile, the Präsident, in 1897 – 1898, NW continued producing automobiles that followed the design of the original Präsident.

On 23 October 1899, two of these Präsident-derived cars, the Wien and the Nesselsdorf, competed in the first automobile race held in Austria-Hungary. The race took place in Vienna, on the Trabrennbahn Krieau, a trotting track near the Prater. Competing cars were the Wien, the Nesselsdorf, four Benz cars, and four Dietrich-Bolleé cars. Baron Theodor von Liebieg [cs], driving the Wien, won the race, and the Nesselsdorf came in second.

In March 1900, Liebieg raced the 192 km (119 mi) triangle track Nice – Draguignan – Nice, where he won the second stage outright.[clarification needed] Four days later he won the four-seaters under 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) class in the famous Nice – La Turbie hill climb race.

The Präsident-derived cars Liebieg was competing with were designed for ordinary use, not racing. So after his successes of late 1899 and early 1900, Liebieg commissioned NW to produce a new automobile specifically designed for racing. NW fulfilled this order with the Rennzweier, the first race car built in Central Europe.[9]

Design

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The construction was unique at the time. The car was very low, especially the driver's seat. There was no bodywork – all mechanical parts were uncovered. Unlike its predecessors, the steering column was slightly tilted.

The car had a modified Benz engine. It was a two-cylinder spark ignition engine with a power output of about 12 hp (8.9 kW) at 650 rpm.[3] It was transversely mounted above the driven rear axle.

The driver was situated on a heightened seat behind the steering wheel, while the passenger seat was much lower on the frame, so the passenger's legs were sticking out under the car.

The gas tank had a volume of 42 liters,[4] while there was also another tank behind the driver for 15 liters of coolant.

The car was able to reach a maximum speed of 82 km/h (51 mph).

Von Liebieg raced the car in numerous contests. He won the La Turbie race that took place in Nice, and took second position in Salzburg-Linz-Vienna race. He later also took part in the Paris-Vienna race.

Today the Rennzweier is exhibited at the Czech National Technical Museum.

A second racing car was made in 1901. This one also made do without bodywork, and this time featured a Hardy engine (flat two, 3188cc, 7,4 kW-8,85 kW (10-12HP)) was used instead of the previous Benz one.[9]

References

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  1. ^ Margolius, Ivan; Henry, John G. (2015). Tatra : the legacy of Hans Ledwinka. Dorchester: Veloce. p. 211. ISBN 978-1-84584-799-9. OCLC 973620118.
  2. ^ a b Dragoun, Aleš (1996-10-02). "NW Rennzweier (1900)" (PDF). sleeper.ic.cz (in Czech). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-02-25. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  3. ^ a b K, S (1975). "náš první závodní automobil 'NW RENNZWEIER'". Svět motorů (in Czech). Vol. 29, no. 52. pp. 15–17.
  4. ^ a b Kučírek, Vojtěch. "KATALOG ZNÁMEK : ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA : 1993 - 2001" (PDF) (in Czech). p. 18. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  5. ^ Hoyo Prohuber, Henio Pablo Luis (October 2013). Post-nationalism : postage stamps as carriers of national imaginaries (PhD thesis). Florence: European University Institute. p. 116. doi:10.2870/362043. hdl:1814/29627. OCLC 1280489511. Retrieved 2023-09-11. Czech Republic, 1994: 1900 NW ('Rennzweier') [Scott, Czechoslovakia 2932]
  6. ^ "Česká pošta". PoštaOnline. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  7. ^ "Czech Republic - 2k stamp of 1994 (#159053)". StampData. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  8. ^ "Stamp: NW 1900 (TATRA) (Czech Republic(Historical Vehicle) Mi:CZ 53,Sn:CZ 2932,Yt:CZ 52,Sg:CZ 58,AFA:CZ 52,POF:CZ 53". Colnect. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  9. ^ a b Rosenkranz, Karel (2007). Passenger Cars Tatra. Kopřivnice: Tatra. ISBN 9788023998764. OCLC 228593681.
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