New Autocult to round out the year

Autocult announces the final new models for 2023, including the exclusive car that comes with their book (now in hardcover or flash drive)

1913 Mercedes-Benz 22/50PS Küchenwagen

In the period before the First World War, the automobile was still seen as a competitor to the horse. Nevertheless, even then there areas of application in which the four-wheeled vehicle had great advantages. Due to the still high exclusivity of the car, however, these usually only benefited the highest personalities.

In view of the fact that the top warlords wanted to dine on site during their visits to the military maneuvers, the “Daimler-Motoren Gesellschaft” invented the so called “Küchenwagen” (mobile kitchen).

Cooking could be done in the vehicle, two large ice buckets served as storage containers for meat, butter, wine, and beer “…in a richness that is up to all demands of the increased appetite during the maneuvers.”

In the convoy with the “Küchenwagen” there was also an escort car, which was used to transport eight to ten people. The seats could be removed from the interior of the car in just a few simple steps and could be used as outdoor seating. Under certain circumstances, it was even possible to form a sleeping facility form the benches. 

Both cars together were marketed under the term “Küchenzug” (kitchen train). The mobile kitchen was available to the German Emperor Wilhelm II, from about 1910 and was used in the annual maneuvers. 

Both cars were based on the 22/50 hp chassis.

In addition to the “imperial garage” of the German Emperor Wilhelm II, the Russian Tsar is also known as the buyer of the vehicle duo. He used the two vehicles for private excursions or picnics.

1937 Bata AutoKar Sodomka with AutoCult-Edition 2023

The new Edition 2023 is a different kind of book – it is THE book for the automotive enthusiast who wants to learn more about the stories of long forgotten automobiles, brands and other developments. Whether rare, fast or strange – many interesting stories in conjunction with precise historical accuracy, flanged by many historical photographs and illustrations of Autocult models produced in 2023, make this book (as well as all future editions) a reading experience for those interested in automotive history. Since time does not “stand still” and we also want to make a small contribution to a “greener world”, we decided not to print the book in a certain number of copies as in the years before. Instead we decided to enclose our Autocult-edition 2023 in digitally on an USB-Stick to our ‘Model of the Year’.

Jan Antonín Bata was the patriarch of the shoe empire of the same name and wanted to make good use of every available time in some way. He wished to be able to actively use his business trips and a mobile office soon crystallized in his ideas.

He and Josef Sodomka jr. around 1935/36 agreed to realize such a vehicle.

The owner of the Czechoslovak coachbuilder with a first-class reputation completely stripped a BB truck from Ford’s US production and created a completely new body.

Inside, the purpose as a travel, work and conference vehicle became clear due to its layout, because there were permanently installed desks with integrated, fold-out typewriters. So-called travel chairs invited people to read or discuss, and when it got late in the evening, the entire interior could also be converted into a sleeping compartment. A couch and various built-in wardrobes were also available.

In terms of external appearance, the Sodomka company fitted the mobile office into an aerodynamically sophisticated body. The rounded sloping rear corresponded just as much to the modern zeitgeist as the covered rear wheels or the characteristics of a very minimal bonnet.

Nothing is known about the use of his personal van, but in the course of the confiscation of the vehicles it may have made his way to the front with the outbreak of the Second World War. The trail was lost and it was most likely destroyed.

Jan Antonín Bata emigrated in June 1939 and died in Brazil in 1965 at the age of 67.

Finally, a new exclusive release in their Masterpiece series...

1953 Ferrari 250 Europa Coupé Prototipo - Châssis n°0297EU