REPRINT FROM #4 1985
CLASSIC CARS ON A BUDGET, PART 3: ZKF Z500 GT
SCHLAGER STATT ROCK’N ROLL?
With american classics going up in price every day, it’s time to consider the german alternative, the ZKF Z500 GT.
The 50s are maybe more hip than ever. Every day we hear new records for what 50s american tin have been selling for, cars that were hard to even get rid of 10-15 years ago. And it is not hard to understand why. In times of efficiency, plastic and electronics, there is something radically different with tailfins, pastels and chrome instead. A time missed by many people, at least its aesthetics.
But if you were too late to jump on the train, and still wants some 50s feeling, is there any alternative that still can be had for sane money? Yes, there is, but you have to look at this side of the atlantic. Forget the americans, instead, consider a german alternative, the ZKF Z500 GT. The attempt from ZKF to get a foot into the american market, that enjoyed a lukewarm success there, to say the least, and in europe, not too many people seems to have understood it. But they were around. I remember a couple of friends having some beat up examples in the late 60s and early 70s. Already by then, they were not a bad choice if you wanted something a bit more odd and eccentric for not too much money.
Now, the daily driven examples are more or less gone. Yet, the collector car market haven’t been catching up. And that’s why you have a chance to find a bargain at the moment. Good examples are getting a bit thin on the ground, but they are out there and when you find one, they are generally going for affordable prices. But what do you get for your money?
The outside is clearly inspired by american cars from the era, albeit a little more on the compact side. But when the americans were concentrating on making everything bigger, on more raw brute force, ZKF took another approach. Under the bonnet we find a 2.9 litre inline six, for example, and not a large V8. But it has a kind of a high power output of 164 hp, running not only an overhead camshaft but also a very unusual for its time valve arrangement with three valves per cylinder. The body was unitized, no separate frame here. That is one of the reasons behind a sub 1200 kg weight despite the size of the car. The suspension had struts up front and a coil sprung solid rear axle, while most americans were running double wishbones up front and leaf springs in the rear. Another very unusual thing was the front disc brakes.
How it did work out in the end? Well, to look at it completely without rose tinted glasses, both good and at the same time quite disappointing. It was not always much better than vehicles running more conventional technology. The 4 seater configuration suggests a sporty car and yes, it kind of was. 199 km/h top speed and 8.7 second time from 0-100 was fast for its era, especially with such a small engine. But the fuel economy suffered, 17.9 litres per 100 km during normal driving was too much for many europeans to swallow. Handling was good for its era and would probably be even better with more modern radial tyres, if you are willing to sacrifice style for safety, but the disc brakes did not perform better than most drum brake systems of the era. Also, the advanced technology that were not fully developed meant that reliability suffered and servicing was seen as complicated. It was a vehicle that had its strong sides, that neither europeans or americans understood.
But today we can enjoy it for some forward-thinking ideas, and for its styling, not only on the outside but also on the inside. A very german atmosphere despite the american influences, offering stylish design and high levels of comfort. It is not only white bakelite and leatherette that is surrounding you, sportiness is accentuated with real wood on the dashboard and steering wheel. Another touch of the past that spawns positive memories, the large canvas sunroof!
Maybe it is time to give the ZKF a small revival? Just because it wasn’t appreciated the way it should have been back then does not mean that it shouldn’t be now!
A trip to the continent or a nice relaxing sunday drive on the backroads? The ZKF Z500 won’t disappoint you in any case.
Sven Landström, of all the cars available to choose from, why a ZKF Z500?
-To be honest, it was my grandfather’s pride and joy that he kept in pristine condition. So I am just holding on to that tradition.
And that is the kind of car you should find?
-Actually yes. There is cars out there that is in very bad condition and they should be avoided like the plague.
Were they as fragile as the rumours said?
-(Laughing), and you are asking me that? To be honest, I have to agree on that point. They had lots of advanced technology for the era, that was not fully developed back then. They can break, and they do break horribly sometimes. I don’t think that I would recommend a ZKF Z500 to anybody that just have gotten into cars. There is easier cars to live with out there.
But if you have a little more experience in cars…?
Then they aren’t more complicated than any small econobox of today, but the difference is that parts are expensive and hard to get. I really don’t want to steer anybody away from the car itself though, one should just be aware that they aren’t always joy and sunshine.
What should a buyer look out for then?
As all early unibodies, rust. Absolutely everywhere, because that is where they do rust. Watch out for worn out camshafts or rattling chain drive. Neither power steering nor disc brakes were fully developed in 1959, leaking steering systems and seized calipers aren’t unusual. Some of the interior parts, mainly the small amounts of safety padding that was introduced as a first step towards passive safety, can more or less fall to pieces and are hard to get nowadays.
So a complete and rust free car then?
-Yes. The differences in price are so small that they are silly. There is absolutely no reason to buy a wreck. It will only cause you headaches.
And how will it reward you then?
-By being a great driver’s car for its era, with good handling and spirited performance, as well as tons and acres of style. For 1959, it was a very good car in many ways. But while it feels more modern than it is, it has lots of the classic 50s styling that we all know and love.
What kind of reactions do you get?
-Interestingly, non car people are more interested than car people. “Hey, what kind of car is this?” or “I haven’t seen one in years!”. For some reason, the low values and interest in the classic car crowd somehow seems to have affected car people in general, that likes to pretend that cars like this hardly even exists. A shame, since it is a model that deserves much better than just being forgotten.
The ZKF Z500 is not the classic car for everyone, but if you are a dedicated owner with some previous experience, that is willing to think outside the box, we think that it might as well be the right choice for you. Forget the rumours from the 50s and 60s, or the bad image that clapped out examples was giving the model in the 70s. The Z500 is a classic now and should be seen with new eyes. But as long as the world is still sleeping, get your example for a bargain price before it is too late.
Thanks to @BannedByAndroid for the car!
