GEA
Encyclopedia
GEA was a Swedish automobile manufacturer founded by Gustaf Ericsson (son of Lars Magnus Ericsson
) in 1904 in Stockholm
. Originally the company was located in Arbetargatan, but later it moved to Liljeholmen
. Together with his study friends from Chalmers University of Technology
K G Karlsson and Erik L Magnus they had the expertise needed for the project. The company started making engines, but at first not for cars, but kerosene engines for pumps and agricultural machines. Later they also made boat engines under the name "Gurik". After a few years Gustaf Ericsson thought it was time to build a car. It was to be powered by a six cylinder engine, a first for Europe. One of the biggest problems was with the magneto
. They asked Bosch
for help, but they said they couldn't solve the problem. In the end K G Karlsson solved it by using two magnetos. The engine was basically two Fafnir
engines in a row, driving the rear wheels via a chain. The chassis was also made in Germany. In 1905 the car was finished. Because of its size it was nicknamed "Ormen Långe". According to news reports it had a top speed of 60 km/h. However the market was not ready for such a car and it didn't enter production. However GEA imported, assembled and adopted cars for the Swedish market. The company folded in 1909.
Gustaf Ericsson later designed the 1933 Volvo Venus Bilo
, a very early example of streamlined cars.
Lars Magnus Ericsson
Lars Magnus Ericsson was a Swedish inventor, entrepreneur and founder of telephone equipment manufacturer Ericsson ....
) in 1904 in Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
. Originally the company was located in Arbetargatan, but later it moved to Liljeholmen
Liljeholmen
Liljeholmen is a district in South Stockholm, organized into the borough with the same name.In 1860 Liljeholmen became the first suburb outside Stockholm city limit...
. Together with his study friends from Chalmers University of Technology
Chalmers University of Technology
Chalmers University of Technology , is a Swedish university located in Gothenburg that focuses on research and education in technology, natural science and architecture.-History:...
K G Karlsson and Erik L Magnus they had the expertise needed for the project. The company started making engines, but at first not for cars, but kerosene engines for pumps and agricultural machines. Later they also made boat engines under the name "Gurik". After a few years Gustaf Ericsson thought it was time to build a car. It was to be powered by a six cylinder engine, a first for Europe. One of the biggest problems was with the magneto
Magneto (electrical)
A magneto is an electrical generator that uses permanent magnets to produce alternating current.Magnetos adapted to produce pulses of high voltage are used in the ignition systems of some gasoline-powered internal combustion engines to provide power to the spark plugs...
. They asked Bosch
Robert Bosch GmbH
Robert Bosch GmbH is a multinational engineering and electronics company headquartered in Gerlingen, near Stuttgart, Germany. It is the world's largest supplier of automotive components...
for help, but they said they couldn't solve the problem. In the end K G Karlsson solved it by using two magnetos. The engine was basically two Fafnir
Fafnir (automobile)
Fafnir was a German engine and vehicle manufacturer based in Aachen. They made a range of cars between 1908 and 1926.The company was founded in 1894 producing needles. With the growth of the bicycle industry, they started to make wheel spokes...
engines in a row, driving the rear wheels via a chain. The chassis was also made in Germany. In 1905 the car was finished. Because of its size it was nicknamed "Ormen Långe". According to news reports it had a top speed of 60 km/h. However the market was not ready for such a car and it didn't enter production. However GEA imported, assembled and adopted cars for the Swedish market. The company folded in 1909.
Gustaf Ericsson later designed the 1933 Volvo Venus Bilo
Volvo Venus Bilo
Volvo Venus Bilo was a concept car revealed by Volvo in 1933. It was a streamlined design with rear hinged doors and door in the side to access the engine bay. It was designed to have a great loading capacity. Nine specially designed suitcases could be fitted into spaces in the back and a...
, a very early example of streamlined cars.