Champion classic cars for sale

History of the Champion brand

After World War II, Hermann Holbein—former BMW engineer—set out to create a simple, affordable car for a population eager for mobility. In 1949, the Champion CH-2 prototype debuted with a minimalistic aluminium body, wooden floor, and 250cc motorcycle engine mounted in the rear. Press dubbed the first production model 'the midget of the motoring world.' Though initial sales saw success, serious technical issues with suspension and transmission led to early recalls and intensive improvements.&Newline;When Holbein connected with Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen and later with a Westphalian investor group, assembly moved to Paderborn in 1951. Champion cars from this stage were assembled alongside items as varied as refrigerators, emphasizing production challenges and flexibility. Financial pressures and production inefficiency caused the original series to cease in 1952. Over the following years, rights and tooling shifted hands—from Rheinische Automobilfabrik Hennhöfer & Co. to Henning Thorndal, and finally to Maico, each adding their own developments and attempting to revive the small-scale marque.

Model series development

Champion’s key models included the CH-2 prototype, followed by the Champion 250, which debuted in 1950 as a two-seater microcar with the engine mounted at the rear and basics stripped to essentials. This was succeeded by the improved Champion 400/500 series introduced in 1951, where comfort, construction quality, and engine output were all elevated. Later, Maico re-engineered the Champion 400 as a four-seater—the Maico MC 500 G—produced between 1955 and 1956, offering a larger body and two-cylinder Heinkel engine. Production remained constrained at every stage, with relatively few examples built before the brand eventually yielded to industry giants.

Highlights and statistics

Champion’s charm lies in its engineering pragmatism and survivor story. The cars, built from a bare-bones approach, gave post-war buyers an accessibly-priced, extremely minimal form of transportation. Unique is the interplay between steel and wooden body parts in early versions and the innovative, ultra-lightweight construction. Despite their simplicity, the models evolved rapidly—especially in the shift from the CH-2 and 250, with difficult entry and hard suspension, to the sturdier and more sophisticated 400/500 models.

Technical data

Special editions and collectible models

Notable variants mainly involve shifts between manufacturer hands and updates to technical equipment. The Champion Ch-2—just 11 built as two-seater roadsters in 1949—and the extremely rare Champion V5006 (Heinkel-powered, only 20 units produced under Thorndahl), stand out. The Maico MC 500 G marked the final and technically most sophisticated version.

Weak spots and common issues

Early Champions—especially the 250—were notorious for fragile suspension, high-maintenance transmissions, and minimal driving comfort. Initial batches required major factory recalls to correct axle and gearbox defects. The lack of electric starter, combined with a cumbersome starting handle, added an extra layer of user challenge. As models evolved, build quality and comfort improved, but replacement parts remain rare due to low production numbers and complex brand history.

Engine and performance, transmission and handling

Driving a Champion is a pared-back experience: small engines, manual gearboxes, and basic steel chassis contribute to a very direct connection with the road. Early cars feel primitive—stiff suspension, tight space, and spartan interiors dominate. Later models like the MC 500 G were slightly more refined, benefiting from Maico’s expertise and the addition of a two-cylinder, water-cooled Heinkel engine delivering improved output and higher top speeds around 90 km/h. - Champion 250: 250cc Triumph engine, ~60/70 km/h, extremely lightweight at ~220-250 kg.

• Champion 400/500: 398/400cc engine, sturdier build, 80-90 km/h top speed, marked improvement in comfort and size.
• Maico MC 500 G: Four-seater evolution, Heinkel 400cc, two-cylinder, ~4.5l/100 km.

Interior, comfort, exterior and design

Champion vehicles had no design frills; functionality ruled. Bodies began in aluminium with bare wooden floor, evolving to steel panels supplied by Drauz coachbuilders, often clad in canvas for cabriolet versions. Interiors remained ruthlessly minimalist: seat padding was spare, ingress/egress could be challenging, and instrumentation basic. Unusual options included occasional wood/steel hybrids and convertible roofs similar to Fiat Topolino’s. The MC 500 G offered basic four-seat practicality but little in the way of luxury. Colour options and special trim were determined more by availability than by choice.

Summary

Champion classic cars embody German postwar resilience and automotive adaptability. For enthusiasts seeking engineering curiosity and rarity, the marque offers compactness, lightweight construction, and a tale of constant innovation against market odds. For collectors and microcar specialists, the Champion series holds fascination as a fleeting chapter in small-car production.