Adler 2.5 Liter Typ 10 Karmann Cabriolet | 1937 Highlights: – 2.5-litre inline six-cylinder engine, petrol, 58 hp, manual transmission – Cabriolet coachwork by Karmann – Chassis number 185276, according to the seller one of the oldest surviving examples of the type – Remarkable history from May 1945 and the GDR era – Restored over a six-year period, completed in 2014 The private seller offers for sale this 1937 Adler 2.5 Liter Typ 10 Karmann Cabriolet, powered by a 2.5-litre inline six-cylinder petrol engine producing 58 hp, paired with a manual transmission. First registered on 1 July 1937, this car carries chassis number 185276, which according to the seller makes it one of the oldest surviving examples of the type in the world. It wears elegant cabriolet coachwork by Karmann, finished in a soft cream-grey that suits the sweeping lines of the body. Chrome-rimmed headlamps sit low in the wings on either side of a distinctive vertical grille, and the car rides on painted wheels with chrome hub caps. The interior is trimmed in light grey upholstery with a neat pleated pattern, and the dashboard carries a large central speedometer with a clock and gauges alongside. A dark soft top folds down behind the rear seat, allowing the car to be driven open or closed. According to the seller, it is one of only around 50 examples to have survived the Second World War, and it comes to the auction from a private collection. Few pre-war cars come with a story like this one. According to eyewitness accounts, in early May 1945 this Adler was used by Martin Mutschmann, the NSDAP Gauleiter of Saxony, in his attempt to escape the advancing Red Army. The journey ended abruptly near Glashütte in Saxony, where the car came to a standstill with a gearbox failure and was seized by the Soviet army. After the war the Adler remained in Saxony, and during the GDR era it served as an official vehicle in the Bad Schandau area of Saxon Switzerland. Few cars carry such a direct link to the turbulent final days of the war and the decades that followed. In 2008 the car was found in a derelict state and acquired by specialists. A thorough restoration followed over a period of six years, and in 2014 the Adler was returned to the road in its original Karmann cabriolet form. Adlerwerke vorm. Heinrich Kleyer AG of Frankfurt was one of Germany’s most progressive manufacturers in the 1930s, and the Autobahn models were among its most striking creations. Introduced in 1937, the 2.5 Liter, known internally as the Typ 10 and nicknamed the Autobahn-Adler, was designed for the new German motorways, with an aerodynamic body, flowing wings and a low, wide stance that set it apart from the upright saloons of the period. The smooth inline six-cylinder engine gave the Typ 10 a respectable turn of speed for its day, and combined with its streamlined body it offered brisk and comfortable long-distance travel. With its Karmann soft top, its distinctive streamlined shape and its extraordinary provenance, this Adler is a rare opportunity to acquire a pre-war German cabriolet that is guaranteed to draw attention at any classic car event. It will appeal to collectors of pre-war German cars as well as anyone with an interest in automotive and contemporary history. Condition of the bodywork & paint 4 — Very Good. Clean with minimal wear; might need minor replacements for small missing or broken parts. Condition of the interior 4 — Very Good. Displays only minimal wear and can hit the road any time. Technical condition 4 — Very Good. Mechanically solid, with potential for minor servicing. Overall condition 4 — Very Good. Displays only minimal wear and can hit the road any time. This item is sold on an as-is basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and descriptions of the listing are for information purposes only. We encourage all potential bidders to inspect the vehicle before placing a bid. Please contact us by phone or email to schedule an appointment. All auction cars offered have a reserve price. You have only won the item if the seller accepts your bid. Price changes and errors reserved. The 14-day right of withdrawal does not apply to this auction. This car is currently located in: Saxony state, Germany. This car drives, brakes and shifts. The car has a German registration. The buyer is responsible for registration in his own country and responsible for delivery and collection of any vehicle purchased at the auction. The description of this car is, to the best of the seller’s knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Route 66 Auctions requests a range of detail about the car from the seller and performs a level of due diligence. However, potential buyers must independently satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description. We strongly advise potential buyers to view or arrange inspections as well as conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to bid or buy. Please note that it is not uncommon for classic or collectible cars to have received cosmetic repairs in the past, to rectify damage or refresh appearance, and this work may be hard to see even upon visual inspection. Unless there is an explicit statement by the seller to the contrary, please assume that any vehicle could have had bodywork or paintwork. Photographs may not reflect the exact true colour or exact full condition of the vehicle. 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