Aero
Aero cars were produced in Czechoslovakia from 1929 to 1947. They were made by an aircraft manufacturer that introduced a range of 2-stroke cars, the most popular of which was the Aero 30. Aero ceased car production after WWII when the company was nationalised but still manufactures aircraft.
The early years of Aero
The company was based in Praha-Vysocany, Czechoslovakia, and was founded by Dr Vladimir Kabes. It became the fourth largest automobile company in the country, along with rivals that included Skoda, Tatra and Jawa. Aero’s first automobile, introduced in 1929, was the Aero 500. Around 1500 of these 499cc single-cylinder cars were sold, in roadster, coupe and cabriolet body styles. The Aero 500 had a 3-speed gearbox with its drive to the rear axle and like all Aero cars, had a two-stroke engine. In 1932 they introduced a new model, the Aero 20, which had a 660cc engine and four-wheel brakes, with a larger 999cc engine available in 1932.
Front-wheel drives from Aero
In 1934 the company produced their first front-wheel drive car. The Aero 30 had a 998cc water-cooled engine and could reach speeds of 65 mph. It was their most successful model with around 3000 vehicles sold before the outbreak of WWII. It also had success on the racetrack, including a third place in the 1934 Monte Carlo Rally. Aero continued to produce the Aero 30 after the war until it ceased production in 1947. The last new model that they introduced was the Aero 50. This was another front-wheel car that had independent suspension and a 1997cc four-cylinder engine that could power speeds of up to 78 mph. The new models were very successful, both within Czechoslovakia and in Aero’s export markets of Hungary, Romania, Belgium and France.
The end of Aero
The company had produced around 500 cars after the war and had begun designing a new range that would include four-speed gearboxes and hydraulic brakes. The new range was never produced, however, when the Czech motor industry was nationalised and came under state control in 1947. Aero was instead assigned to take over production of a car that had previously been produced by fellow Czech automobile company, Jawa, and the Jawa Minor was renamed the Aero Minor and produced and sold up to 1951. After that, the company ceased automobile production altogether and focused instead on their successful range of aircraft.