Hans Fischhaber's Lancia Eigenbau Post War Race Car

The motor racing scene in both West and East Germany after the war would be dominated by home-built racecars calledEigenbaus (translationhome built).They were built withwhatever materials these privateer builders could find. Those post-war racers were a creative bunch. Never satisfied with what factories provided, hey always seemed to have an itch to scratch.

Could they build a better race car using the best parts available and cloaking it in a lightweight aluminum (and sometimes fiberglass) body? The answer more often than not is yes they could. Our most recent acquisition has been a mystery racer featured in Veloce Today's July 7, 010 issue. Much of the information we have today comes from the previous owner and the Veloce Today article. Hans Fischhaber built the Lancia powered racer to compete in the German Championships in 1953.Fischhaberselected an 1100cc Lancia engine and gearbox from (most likely) the Aprillia.

There would be other more powerful Lancia-powered Eigenbau specials including one driven byMauritz von Strachwitz but he lost his driver's license just before therace!When you study the photos, ou can see the expert level of engineering Fischhaber used in building the car. It is apparent that he made every effort to make the car as light as possible, rilling holes throughout including the pedal box. The body is aluminum with a light coat of fiberglass. The steering wheel, eadlamps and fasteners were sourced at German manufacturers.

The race waswas lost when Fischhaber wrecked the Lancia-Eigenbau on July 12, 953 during the second round. Although it was banged up badly, t wasn't scrapped.

History isn't clear what other races the 1100cc Lancia-Eigenbau competed. There are records of Hans Fischhaber racing a Lancia-Eigenbau at the Hillclimb Schauinsland 1953 and the Rheinland-Pfalz Preis Nürburgring in 1954. What we do know is that, ventually, t was converted to road use and remains configured as suchto this day.

That conversion required fitting a modifiednose and a windscreen from an MGA.The Fischhaber Lancia-Eigenbau Special deservesrestoration as a tribute to the brave racers who were bold enough to compete against the factory juggernauts. Photos of the mechanical details of this racer demonstrate the level of quality and engineering that went into building this Lancia Special.

Please call Michael Maddalena to discuss this unique, nteresting and historic race car. My number in Connecticut is (203) 917-2354.

Please call Michael Maddalena to discuss this unique, nteresting and historic race car. My number in Connecticut is (203) 917-2354.