1966 VELOREX 16/350
Designer: František Stránský and Mojmír Stránský

Estimate: $35,000 ­ - $45,000

Chassis Number: 360054415
Decoded: 360054415=Assigned VIN
Engine: 344 CC Two­-Stroke Two­-Cylinder
4­-Speed Manual Transmission (Forward and Reverse)
Drum Brakes
Mileage: 52,449 mi (84,596 km)

● Fresh 2015 Frame-Off Restoration to Concours Standards
● Entire Body of Removable Vinyl
● Extraordinarily Rare Microcar

The Model: In 1943 Czechoslovakian brothers František and Mojmír Stránský designed and built a prototype small, inexpensive three-­wheeled car, inspired by three­-wheelers from Morgan Motor Company. In 1945, the brothers built their first production cars, using vinyl cloth instead of sheet metal as the bodywork. Powered by small motorcycle engines, the vehicles were priced at about one fourth of the cost of a typical car. After the war, the brothers joined with Velo, a small manufacturing company later renamed to Velorex. On January 21, 1954, František Stránský died in the crash of a Velorex prototype. His brother, Mojmír, refused to join the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia and was ousted from the company he had founded. In 1963, production of the newly designed "Model 16" started fitted with either ČZ 175 or Jawa 350 type 572 engines.

The Car: This Velorex 16/350 is fresh from a 2015 nut and bolt restoration. It is powered by the larger Jawa 350 vertical twin engine. Jawa motorcycles were imported into the US, enhancing parts support for this vehicle. The unique two­stroke is timed at top­,dead­-center allowing the Dynastarter to fire the engine in either direction allowing this Velorex four speeds in either direction. The fit of the interior and exterior upholstery is fantastic. The attention to detail in reproducing the correct tight-­fitting outer panels is exquisite. The dash retains its correct Skoda instrumentation. Fine wood finishing covers the dash and floor. With fewer than a dozen of these cars in the US and none likely in this condition, this amazing Velorex will be the cornerstone of any microcar collection.