SOLVED: GTE 466 - Helicamper by Fendt

[gte4289]

Identify this vehicle for a point:

[gte4289]

Experts?

[Rusty Chrome]

Libelle

[gte4289]

Libelle

I believe these were based on a Libelle microcars, but they were completed by a different company and had a different name.

[Rusty Chrome]

This then is the "Libellula 53" which appeared on the Mondial stand at the 1953 Milan show and was said to be powered by a 160cc Mondial engine.

[gte4289]

This then is the "Libellula 53" which appeared on the Mondial stand at the 1953 Milan show and was said to be powered by a 160cc Mondial engine.

No, not that. 

[Rusty Chrome]

There were two other versions as far as I aware, one was from Fraenkel and Kirchner called the Libelle P 200 D and the other from the maker of the Felber Autoroller called the Libelle C 400. Is it one of these or something else?

[gte4289]

There were two other versions as far as I aware, one was from Fraenkel and Kirchner called the Libelle P 200 D and the other from the maker of the Felber Autoroller called the Libelle C 400. Is it one of these or something else?

Neither. Again, these were not named Libelle.

[gte4289]

Pros?

[kwgibbs]

Is it a self-built one-off from scandinavia?

[gte4289]

Is it a self-built one-off from scandinavia?

No, not self-built, not a one-off (but close), and not from Scandinavia

[kwgibbs]

Is it a three-wheel car made in limited numbers?

[gte4289]

Is it a three-wheel car made in limited numbers?

Yes. Based on the three-wheeled Libelle and produced in a very limited number.

[gte4289]

Open to all.

[fromwien]

Produced in Austria?

[gte4289]

Produced in Austria?

No

[Oguerrerob]

Germany?

[gte4289]

Germany?

Yes

[Wendax]

Interesting! Is the company known for other vehicles?

[gte4289]

Interesting! Is the company known for other vehicles?

Yes

[gte4289]

By the way, the solution to this puzzle (manufacturer and brand name) can be found online without too much effort. Confirming that information and uncovering the story of how the vehicle came to exist was more difficult (for me, anyway) and required gathering and combining bits of information from multiple sources. Of course, it would've been an easier task if I could read and understand German.

[sichel]

Fendt Helicamper.

[gte4289]

Fendt Helicamper.

That's the answer.

And here's the story (probably a mix of fact and fiction) as compiled from various online sources...

When Libelle ceased production in 1954, some of the physical assets (probably manufacturing equipment, tools, unused vehicle parts, etc) were purchased by an as-yet unidentified company from the Friedrichshafen area of Germany, with plans to manufacture similar vehicles under its own brand. When those plans failed and the company became insolvent, Herrmann Fendt purchased three partially-assembled 'prototypes' from the insolvent company and had them brought to the Fendt compound. The trio of vehicles were eventually assembled and put up for sale, complete with Ilo engines and the 'Helicamper' script seen in the images below. The puzzle vehicle was purchased by a Fendt engineer named Karl Ummenhofer and became his means transportation to and from Fendt for the next couple of years. It's now the only one of the three 'prototype' vehicles known to still exist (albeit in a disassembled state).

There's a clear desire among online sources to label this vehicle as an abandoned project that was being developed by Fendt for production, but I found no hard evidence exists to support that theory, as Fendt didn't bother to maintain/archive any records from that period.

[Rusty Chrome]

So it's a Libelle with a badge on the front.

[fromwien]

Some more information:
Translation of the pictured text:
In the 1950s, motorization of agriculture was going up rapidly. There were numerous small tractor and machine manufacturers on the market. It was the same in the passenger car sector, with constantly and rapidly growing demand and increasing sales.
This market was also tempting for Fendt at first glance, so they initially considered for a cheap micro-car in the passenger car sector.  Two ,,Fendt-Microcar"-prototypes were presented in 1954. One vehicle painted dark red, another one in white and blue.
After careful consideration, the decision was made to continue concentrating on the area of agricultural engineering and the plans about manufacturing micro-cars were rejected.
By asking Google, the blue and white one is shown in the Fendt chronicle and should still exist  (I don't have any usable images). The red small car can be seen in pictures here.
A third vehicle under the name 'Fendt Helicamper' also still exists in fragments.
It is unclear whether this vehicle was built by X. Fendt or Clemens/Theodor Fendt.