Hanomag: The German Pioneer That Did It All Before Everyone Else
Long before BMW built cars or Porsche made tractors, German manufacturer Hanomag was doing both — along with locomotives and some truly peculiar vehicles. Here's the story of a forgotten industrial giant.
From Locomotives to Loaf Cars
If you've never heard of Hanomag, you're not alone. But this Hanover-based manufacturer has a claim to fame that would make modern automakers jealous: they were building locomotives before Fiat, tractors before Porsche, and cars before BMW ever turned a wheel.
The company's story came to light thanks to a quirky 1931 Hanomag 3/16 currently listed through the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum collection on Hagerty Marketplace. According to Hagerty, this oddball prewar machine led them down a rabbit hole into Hanomag's surprisingly expansive history — a product portfolio spanning horse-power, steam, petrol, and diesel from the mid-1800s through to the 1950s.
The Kommissbrot: Germany's First Mass-Produced Small Car
Hanomag's automotive debut was nothing if not distinctive. The 1924–28 2/10 model earned the nickname Kommissbrot — German for "Army bread" — thanks to its loaf-like proportions. With flat sides that drooped at both ends, a single headlight up front, and a rear-mounted engine, it looked more like a child's toy than serious transport.
But serious it was. As reported by Hagerty, the 2/10 became Germany's first mass-produced small car built on an assembly line. Its construction was equally unusual: plywood panels wrapped in fake leather that was supposedly waterproof. The little Hanomag was offered in several body styles, from roadster to small truck.
A Company Ahead of Its Time
What makes Hanomag's story particularly fascinating is how the company experimented with alternative power sources a century before anyone coined the term "EV revolution." From steam locomotives to diesel innovations, Hanomag was constantly pushing boundaries.
Today, these peculiar German machines are largely forgotten outside collector circles. But for those lucky enough to spot one at a show or museum, they're a reminder that automotive history is full of fascinating tales waiting to be rediscovered — often attached to the most unlikely-looking vehicles.
Source: Hagerty
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