Karosseriebau Unternehmen Gebrüder Ludewing, a bodywork company founded in 1919 in the city of Essen (Germany), which after a period of bodying automobiles, dedicated itself solely and exclusively to bodying coaches.
They set out to create an aerodynamic coach with a avant-garde aesthetic for the time, “something never seen before,” thus the Ludewig Aero was born, which caused a revolution as it defied everything seen up to that point. All sorts of technical means never before used were employed for its construction (R&D+i of the past).
It was constructed with large quantities of aluminum to lighten its weight as much as possible. Furthermore, its exterior left no one indifferent; its round grille was distinctive and very original, as was its rear, where a kind of tail rudder protruded to give it an aerodynamic appearance. Its roof was convertible, characterized by its natural light inlets and the possibility for its users to contemplate the landscape.
The seats were individual and oriented outwards, allowing users to look out the windows without turning their heads.
The technical data of the vehicle were as follows:
- 20 seats
- Wheelbase of 4,450mm
- Chassis and engine Opel Blitz of 3,625 c.c. and 75 hp.
- Maximum speed 100 Km/h (not bad for the time and the roads of yesteryear)
Only five documented units were built, as they were items of true luxury. After the Ludewig Aero 1, the Ludewig Aero 2 followed in 1934, which replaced the characteristic cylindrical nose with a flatter, more aerodynamic one, and a second tail rudder was introduced at the rear.
We leave you the link to the original post from “El cuaderno de Luis” by Mr. Soravilla, to whom we thank for his permission and willingness to use materials and photos.
