Let's face it: microcars--commonly defined as automobiles sporting engines with less than 600cc and/or less than 10ft in length--are among today's hottest collectible vehicles.
Conceived and marketed after World War II to help populations of impoverished nations regain mobility, these pint-sized artifacts of austerity provide rolling history lessons -- and they are supremely popular exhibits in museums and at car shows. In fact, driving this Lloyd elicits more favorable comments from onlookers and fellow car enthusiasts than any vintage Ferrari or Porsche we've ever owned.
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You'll hear the question "What is it?" every time you take it for a spin, as a Lloyd is a true orphan car. Very successful during the 1950s in its West German home market, Lloyd occupied the number three rank (behind VW and Opel) of units sold for a few years, before consumers turned to larger cars and the marque was forced into bankruptcy in 1961. Of the 355,806 post-war Lloyds made, quite a few were exported to America and a host of other countries, however, without factory support, only a handful managed to survive for 50-plus years.
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In fact, we don't know of another operable, original paint '57 Alexander Estate Wagon surviving anywhere in the United States, and finding it was truly an occasion to celebrate!
Unlike the 200cc to 300cc Messerschmitt, Isetta or Goggomobil dwarf cars, the 19hp Lloyd is a bit of a grown-up micro, perfectly capable of being driven in today's traffic without struggling, including trips on the freeway.
Let's have a closer look now!
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Manufactured in 1957 at the Lloyd-Borgward Werke in Bremen, this Alexander LP600 Estate Wagon was fitted with the larger, U.S.-spec headlights and tubular chrome "Export" bumpers and shipped to the U.S. when new. According to its previous caretaker, a mover and shaker in the microcar hobby, the original owner lived in the San Diego area for decades and bequeathed his beloved Lloyd to a neighbor, just a couple of years ago. Residing in sunny Southern California went a long way to preserving the Lloyd's integrity, as corrosion is their #1 enemy.
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Using the release knob below the dash, we pop the bonnet and discover the amazingly original, perfectly preserved engine bay. Lloyd had long been a proponent of front wheel drive, and the Alexander is no exception. The 598cc, 2-cylinder, 4-stroke (!), boxer engine is mated to a fully synchronized, 4-speed manual transmission driving the front wheels in a space saving arrangement that was engineered years before the British Mini came along. Note battery and fuel tank: their location makes them easily accessible and leaves more room for people and their gear inside the cabin.
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Regarding the all-original appearance of the engine bay, including factory chalk marks: we have gently cleaned the car, but refrained from disturbing these irreplaceable reference finishes, as cars are original only once.
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Peering deep into the hidden crevices of the engine compartment, we find nothing but healthy and unmolested sheetmetal, even in the most remote corners.
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Early Lloyds featured bodywork consisting of a plywood structure covered with a vinyl-like material; they were derisively called Leukoplastbombers ("Band Aid Bombers"). By 1957, the cars sported modern, all-steel bodies. Note the period suicide doors. The diminutive car--possibly the World's smallest sedan delivery--features excellent visibility all around. By the way, the original keys still lock both doors as well as the tailgate.
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A true survivor in the best sense of the (overused) word, the Alexander displays the patina of 55 years with grace. Amazingly, its paint appears to be the factory-applied, Salmon Orange coat, worn thin in places from years of polishing, with a mellow luster and only a couple of dings worth mentioning, the most serious one on the left front fender. Could you take the car to the next level with a simple respray? Of course you could. Would we do it? Never in a million years! The Lloyd possesses the pure antique look so many collectors yearn for these days.
Glas is all original and in excellent condition, alloy trim is nice, chrome bumpers are like new, weatherstripping is in very good condition for being 55 years old. Best of all, there are absolutely no missing parts!
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Unlike most other micros, Lloyd didn't use 10 or 12 inch wheels, opting instead for the larger 15-inch steelies. Car features nearly new NANKING tires of the correct size 145-R15 on all four corners. Factory baby moon caps sporting the colorful Lloyd triangle logo and rare ventilated accessory trim rings present excellently.
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Entering the Lloyd's cockpit, we are instantly, magically transported back to post-war Germany. Ivory steering wheel and column shifter lend a touch of luxury.
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Space. There's lots of it. Long before Austin's Mini, a Lloyd would comfortably accommodate 4 adult passengers. Slide back the driver's bucket seat and even a large person fits behind the wheel.
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Neat details: Bakelite switch gear, ash receiver, rearview mirror, glove box, original rubber flooring with embossed LLOYD logo: everything is very clean and well preserved.
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Scottish Highlander plaid inserts are virtually like new, just like the remainder of the upholstery. Car must have always been garaged and, who knows, the 19,909 miles indicated on the odometer could be the Lloyd's actual mileage.
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Folding rear bench seat. Bring the kids!
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Ready for a test drive?
So are we, but before we go, let's inspect cargo area and undercarriage.
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Refrigerator-type door opens wide to allow unfettered access to--wooden--cargo floor. Small box containing odds and ends, like some used lenses, comes with car.
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Removing the partition, we find the original jute mat, a spare wheel cover, factory jack and tool kit, the wonderfully preserved spare rim with vintage PIRELLI tire, and a trunk floor--showing off factory paint--that's as healthy as the proverbial ox!
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Even inside the tailgate, there's not a trace of rust. Yep, those clips have been there for 55 years!
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Undercarriage is unmolested, original, has never seen any kind of spray can artistry or needed any rust repair. There's just a thin layer of surface rust which you could leave alone if you live in a dry climate. If you'd like to treat it, the car comes with a quart of FERTAN we've imported from Germany. FERTAN is a liquid that's applied with a brush to neutralize any corrosion, leaving a clean surface that could then be painted, if so desired. Click on the image to the left for an XXL-sized view |
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Detail shots of a California Lloyd's underbelly. Priceless.
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Tuesday, March 13 turned out to be another super nice day in our little San Buenaventura paradise and we were looking forward to our test drive and photo session.
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Pull out the choke knob, turn the key, and the LS600 starts instantly. Push in the choke, and off we go! The Lloyd exhibits surprisingly good road manners. There are no vibrations, no hesitations; it drives like it's on rails, virtually like a modern car.
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All lights and switches work flawlessly.
Column shifter operates with a lay-down H pattern, not unlike your Fifties Chevy or Ford. First is down and toward the steering wheel. Second up. Third toward the windshield and down, forth up again. No double clutching needed!
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Being geared rather tall, the Lloyd hums along happily at the legal freeway speed of 65mph, without smoking or overheating worries. It doesn't sound stressed like a Volvo PV544, but more like a Porsche 356 with the 60hp Normal engine. It will require the ear of the cognoscenti to identify the engine as a mere twin. In fact, it runs too well for a 19 horse motor--we suspect that "Export" Lloyds were fitted with the 25hp power plant of the upscale "Alexander TS" model.
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Returning home, we're in love with the Lloyd. Here's a very rare and unusual German microcar that performs exactly as intended, more than half a century after it first hit the asphalt. Where will you ever find another one quite like it? Could this be the world's cutest surf wagon?
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Microcars are hot commodities. The 'Heidi Hetzer' suicide-door '59 Goggo Coupé we imported last summer went for $27,500 at Barrett-Jackson's this past January. A lowly French Rovin D-4 fetched an equal amount at Amelia Island, a few weeks ago. At the same venue, a '58 DKW 3=6 Kombi brought over $60,000!
This Lloyd is every bit as rare, drives as good as any micro out there, and has the novelty factor every serious microcar aficionado is looking for.
You'll never regret adding this fine Lloyd to your collection!
Wer den Tod nicht scheut, fährt Lloyd!
Addendum:
We sold this exceptional Lloyd in early 2012 to a collector in Southern California.
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