history of vehicles in greece 1895 - 1970 · the jawa motorcycles dealership. many collectors have...
TRANSCRIPT
History of Vehicles in Greece
1895 - 1970
Angelo Trakadas
Member of Culture Commission
Lady driver and her dogs somewhere in Greece, at the ‘30s
This article aims to inform the readers about the history of vehicles in Greece and the current Classic
Vehicles movement in Greece. Greece was not a country that produced vehicles (with some limited
exceptions), so the vehicles were imported from other countries, especially from Europe. It is an interesting
story, with romance, pioneers, many modifications and the meaning of vehicles to the Greece of previous
decades. Today’s classic vehicles movement will be presented too.
I’ve focused on the most significant moments and stories, trying to create a not so long article, so no one
gets bored reading it. Of course if you want more information, I will provide it to you.
All the photos are part of my collection.
The early days
The very first vehicle that came to Greece was a three-wheeler motorcycle (possibly French made) back in
1895, imported by a gentleman of the era called Nikolas Kontogiannakis. The same gentleman, brought 2
years later the first car in Greece, a one cylinder 2hp Peugeot. Those vehicles used for a small period as
there were no mechanics or the knowhow to maintain and repair them. At 1901 arrived the first taxi and
the next years more vehicles came and in 1907 we can find 7 cars in Athens. At 1907 also happened the
first car accident. Owners of the vehicles were aristocrats, bank owners and members of the royal family,
especially king Alexander was a great driver and motorcyclist of the days. Races between the first owners
took place at the empty streets of Athens. They used to enjoy driving at the Athens Riviera and explore
nature away from the rest people. Those days the public transport system was very organized using electric
trams and steam buses. The only place someone could buy petrol were the pharmacy stores as it was used as
cleaning method too. The first Greek vehicle produced for 2 years 1918 – 1920 with Pierce engine by the
Theologou company, an example (but without engine),is part of the Hellenic Motor Museum. At 1924 the
first car club, “ELPA” founded and used to organize travels, excursions and print maps and books for the
very first motorists. Most of the vehicles were British, French and Americans. Races used to organized
these days, where 3 Bugatti used to have the best performances, the 1 Bugatti owned and raced by a lady
named Loukia Pappou and won many races the years 1924 – 1925. Also at early ‘20s the first tax system for
vehicles started.
At 13/031935 started the exams for the driving license and everyone who wanted to drive on the public
roads had to pass the exams.
The decade of 1930 was even better as the new roads opened and fuel was available at gas stations. Mobil,
Shell and Texaco were the first companies in Greece. Especially Shell had developed great marketing by
printing maps and books with tips for the motorists, with Shell’s logo. This decade was the best as even
more motorcycles and cars imported (new and used), the knowhow became better, workshops opened and
spare parts were available. This decade vehicles were a privilege for everyone and they really enjoyed,
doing trips, picnics and holidays, that’s why if you drive today through the old national road you will see
many abandoned hotels, taverns and gas station from the ‘30s. For first time the houses started to have
garage. The years 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937 Greek and foreign crews started from Athens for the Monte Carlo
Rally.
One of the first ELPA logos
Statistics of the cars register in Athens:
Year Number of vehicles
1907 7
1909 37
1915 203
1925 900
1936 35.000
The war
Unfortunately the WWII gave an end to this era. All the vehicles were urged by the army and destroyed at
the battle field. Few vehicles of that era survived. Many vehicles came in Greece at the war, as help from
the allies and USA and others that Italians and Germans left back. Many of the war vehicles used by the
Greek army until the late ‘60s, like Jeep Willys, Ford and Dodge trucks, Norton, BMW, BSA, Triumph,
Gilera and Harley Davidson motorcycles.
1930. Map for trips by cars. Printed by
ELPA & SHELL
1934. Notebook in Greek language, by Mobil
Socony.
08/08/1957. Soldiers on a Jeep Willys
New Era
After the war Greece was totally destroyed and poor. People tried to start their life and build again
everything. Buildings started created and the need to transport people and material was very important. At
the airport of Athens then called “Hasani” the government had collected all the vehicles from the war that
the army wouldn’t use. Everyone could go and buy a vehicle at a really low price. Most people bought
motorcycles, because it was cheaper to buy and maintain a motorcycle. Because cars and trucks were
expensive the motorcycles had to do every job. So motorcycles like BSA M20, Norton H16, Gilera LTE
used to have a handmade sidecar, capable to transfer raw materials, old houses pieces and of course furniture
and whatever a new house will need. For heavier use, BMW R12 and R75, Zundapp KS 750 and other war
bikes were modified to “Fourkoni”. A mix of motorcycle and light truck, they used to cut the back part of
the motorcycle and put a differential and wheels from a Willys Jeep, on it they created a trolley. A very
common job of these days was carrier.
Zundapp KS750 “fourkoni
17/01/1968. Soldier on Harley Davidson
WLA 750
20/08/1958. Soldier on Harley Davidson
WLA 750
At early ‘50s things started to get better and people wanted to buy vehicles, for their transport but most of
all, to explore nature and get away from the city at every chance. Once again motorcycles were more
famous, because of the lowest price. The weather of course helped a lot. A famous small car in Greece was
“Attica”. A car made in Greece using Sachs and Henkel engines. They were produced for two decades
(1950- 1960) and sold many cars. Because of the Marshall plan it was not allowed to import new cars from
other countries, but only from USA.
When scooters introduced, they became famous in Greece and gave to more people the chance to leave the
city behind, see nature, sea and meet romance and freedom. Cars were a privilege of rich people, who didn’t
want to ride motorcycles because they were linked with poor people and accidents. The taxis also used to be
American cars, like Cadillacs and Chevrolet.
1950. “The motorcycle”, a book about the use
and repair of motorcycles. It prepares the
reader that the modern motorcycles have the
gear change lever on the foot..
Early ‘50s, couple with British motorcycles in
Greece. Note the number plates: 239 & 240.
Exploring Greece on scooters. Late ‘50s
Hunting next to an “Attica” car.
Happy and untroubled moments away from
the city, on the back round the vehicles that
gave freedom.
Chevrolet TAXI. Late ‘50s.
A wealthy family with their convertible
Mercedes Benz.
In the decade of ‘60s, things were better, it was allowed to import vehicles from every country and the
purchase of a car was a dream that could become true. VW Beetle, Morris, Mini, Triumph, MG, Fiat, Fiat,
Alfa Romeo, Opel,, Skoda, Moschovitch, Panhard were the best sellers of the ‘60s. The cars became more
than motorcycles and people preferred them. Some companies produced vehicles in Greece, usually using
engines from other companies. An example is MEVEA, producing small motorcycles with Zundapp
engines, which the post company and the telephone company bought. MEVEA produced also light trucks.
Usual scene, family with their VW Beetle,
early ‘60s.
Proud owner with her little dog.
Proud TAXI driver of the ‘60s, with
Mercedes Benz.
From the mid ‘60s the number of cars in Greece started to increase a lot. Then the first historic vehicles
enthusiasts started to create their community and organize events with historic cars. The very first “Antique
rally” took place at 1965organized by ELPA. Most of the cars were Ford model T, prewar Chevrolet, Rolls
Royce and Mercedes Benz. At 1972 the first antique car club founded, named PHILPA and today today it’s
the biggest club in Greece, member of FIVA for many years. Since 1972 is organizing the “International
Rally” with participants from all over the world.
At the ‘70s the number of imported vehicles increased and for first time Japanese cars and motorcycles were
best sellers, far ahead from the European vehicles. Nissan and Opel had factories, producing their most
famous vehicles in Greece. At Syros Island, at Neorion shipyard created the Enfield 8000, an electric car. It
never managed to take approval for the Greeek market but the British Electricity company bought many of
them. Examples of Enfield 8000, are in both museums of vehicles in Athens.
Today in Greece are about 16.000 historic vehicles and many clubs. Most of the vehicles have FIVA ID
card, as the ANF (FILPA Federation, promotes) it a lot. Every weekend many great events are getting place.
Exhibitions, regularity rallies, tours and trips make every classic vehicle enthusiast happy and give the
opportunity to enjoy the vehicle.
Two museums are based in the center of Athens.
The Hellenic Motor Museum (with historic cars)
The Motorcycle Republik (with historic motorcycles)
Both are professional members of FIVA.
PHILPA old logo. PHILPA new logo
Mid ‘60s. Morris Minor van “working” at
the JAWA motorcycles dealership.
Many collectors have collections with about 100 vehicles, but those collections are not open to the public.
Greece as a country with beautiful nature, roads by the sea and many ancient places give many opportunities
to enjoy a classic vehicle. The winter is smooth, so vehicles are not storage and not used for long periods.