From the steadily increasing number of tax-free cars and commercial vehicles on the roads of our cities and suburbs, the pleasing appearance of the streamlined Framo "Stromer", named after its streamlined characteristics, stands out. On occasion of his 14,000 km long journey on the Avus, one could observe the interest, the way which experts and laymen studied the chassis and body of the small but powerful vehicle. A visit to the birthplace of the "Stromer" in Frankenberg in Saxony explains very quickly why this car looks so beautiful.
It is no longer produced in very large series in Frankenberg itself, but in the very extensive and clear halls of the newly acquired Hainichen plant, covering 17,000 square meters of floor space. In less than four months, an extensive production line for the "Stromer" type was opened, while at the same time the production of the popular "Framo" tricycle delivery van, which has been in progress for a number of years, with many thousands of copies have been providing rugged service on the road, was also transplanted into this spacious, new hall. Guided by the experience of other large works with the mass production, a prerequisite of today's sales opportunities, large series are worked in harmony in Hainichen. Every day a remarkable number of "Stromer" and "Framo" vans leave the factory and into the hands of Framo’s extensive sales organization. Any increasing demand can be easily met by spatial expansion of the plant.
Fig. 1 shows the development of the chassis, the drive of which is provided by a 200cc DKW engine with reverse scavenging and a four-speed gearbox driving the front wheels. We already saw at the exhibition that the Wagelchen front-wheel drive with swing axles, single-tube frame, and rubber suspension with spring shock absorbers for each individual wheel, is, like the streamlined bodywork, particularly advanced.
Completely new and original is the manufacturing method of the body, which is shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The manufacture of the body shell results in a completely sound-resistant and very firm outer skin, similar to a boat skin, which, since it is dimensionally stable, is attached and glued with a large number of screw clamps to the ribs of the wooden frames. In Figure 3 we see this operation, which creates a self-supporting, extremely rigid body in the characteristic streamlined shape. The structure produced in this way is upholstered in the saddlery and covered with synthetic leather, provided with a windshield, sunroof and fittings and then assembled on the finished chassis, which is followed by the electrical equipment, the tachometer and the installation of the other accessories. After the machine has been running for several hours on the stand, it leaves the factory hall for a short test drive, where consumption and performance are checked and any noises that occur are eliminated.
It goes without saying that the simple and original production method of this shapely and very light body (completely 75 kg) is extensively careful. The completed car looks so clean and sleek and offers so much space inside for 2 people with luggage that the appealing exterior and interior is only surpassed by its performance, the simplicity of its handling and its bomb-proof robustness. Anyone who has driven in the steep and winding incline of their country of their birth, the Saxon Ore Mountains, will immediately notice that it is a real mountain child, who is not afraid of the peculiarities of mountain roads. Its manufacturers have obviously put a lot of effort into its development. The Stromer delivers a good 65 km/h with an average consumption of 5 litres per 100 km, while demonstrating excellent driving characteristics. So, you can say with a clear conscience that the little Framo "Stromer" is a big guy who stands up to tough terrain and bad roads.
This article was originally published in German in Motor und Sport, Vol 42, 15. Oktober 1933. It was reprinted in the Auto Union Veteranen Club magazine Nachrichten Vol 114, October 2003.
https://auvc-archive.blogspot.com/2020/03/auvc-nachrichten-vol-114-october-2003.html
Other Framo articles:
Framo history: https://dkwautounionproject.blogspot.com/2017/07/framo.html
Framo Stromer: https://dkwautounionproject.blogspot.com/2019/06/1934-framo-stromer.html
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