Champion (Germany) - AllCarIndex

Champion was a German automobile manufacturer that operated from 1948 to 1956. The brand was founded by Hermann Holbein, a former BMW engineer and racing driver, who built his first prototype in 1946. This initial model was a compact two-seater roadster, measuring approximately 72 inches (1827 mm) in length and powered by a rear-mounted 200cc Triumph motorcycle engine. The design featured a central tubular frame and separate cycle-type wings, distinguishing it from later Champion models.

The first production vehicles were manufactured between 1948 and 1950, utilizing a 250cc single-cylinder or a 410cc two-cylinder Triumph engine, also mounted at the rear of a tubular frame. These early models were characterized by an all-enveloping two-seater roadster body. Approximately 400 units of this model were produced. Following this, the company introduced the 400 model, which was equipped with either a 400cc or 450cc Hemkel engine and featured coupe bodies designed by Draur. Production of the 400 took place in Paderborn from March 1951 until the end of 1952, totaling 2,052 cars.

In 1952, production shifted to Ludwigshafen, where two different companies were involved in manufacturing the 400 coupes. From 1954 to 1956, the Rheinische Automobilwerke Thorndal & Co. and Hennhofer & Co. produced the 500G estate car, with Hennhofer & Co. making 194 coupes and Thorndal producing 284 coupes and 20 estate cars. In 1955, production was taken over by the motorcycle manufacturer Maico, which continued to produce vehicles under the name MAICO-CHAMPION, including estate, saloon, and convertible models.