Glas (Germany) - AllCarIndex

Hans Glas GmbH was a German automotive manufacturer founded in 1883, originally established as an agricultural machinery business in Dingolfing, Bavaria. The company ventured into the motor vehicle sector in 1951 with the introduction of a scooter named the Goggo. This marked the beginning of Glas's foray into personal transportation.

In 1955, Glas launched the Goggomobil, a compact minicar that featured a distinctive design and was powered by a rear-mounted two-cylinder two-stroke engine available in three displacements: 247cc, 296cc, and 395cc. The Goggomobil was well-received and became a significant success, with a total production of 280,739 units, including various forward-control vans, until its discontinuation in June 1969. The model's popularity extended beyond Germany, as a Spanish factory, Munguia Industrial SA in Bilbao, also produced Goggomobil cars and vans from 1962.

The company expanded its lineup in 1958 with larger models, introducing the Isar, which was equipped with either 584cc or 688cc four-stroke engines. This model featured an American-style wrap-around windscreen and rear-wheel drive. Glas further developed its offerings with a series of four-cylinder vehicles, including the 1004, 1204, 1304, and 1700, which were notable for their overhead camshaft designs. The 1700, produced from 1965 to 1967, was a four-door saloon that competed in the same market segment as the BMW 1800. Additionally, Glas produced two stylish coupés, the 1300GT and 1700GT, and a V8 coupé that was ultimately deemed financially unsustainable.

In 1966, the financial challenges faced by Glas led to its acquisition by BMW for 91 million Deutsche Marks. Following the acquisition, BMW continued the production of the Frua-styled coupés under its own branding and expanded the V8 engine to 2980cc. The Dingolfing factory, which had been the heart of Glas's operations, became a crucial manufacturing site for BMW, eventually producing models such as the 3, 5, and 7 Series. The legacy of Glas's innovative designs and engineering contributions continued to influence BMW's development long after the brand ceased to exist.