Mikrus MR-300
Encyclopedia
The Mikrus MR-300 was a Polish
microcar
produced between 1957 - 1960 with a body built by WSK Mielec and engines by WSK Rzeszów
. Only 1,728 units were built.
and WSK Rzeszów
. Both plants were producing only planes and motorcycles. The new plan assumed adding automobile manufacture. During the initial period WSK Rzeszów prepared engine documentation, while WSK Mielec focused on the chassis and bodywork. The project was presented in the beginning of 1957, during the National Automotive Meeting. The first prototypes were presented on July 22, 1957 in Warsaw
. The new car was named Mikrus MR 300 (initials of the words Mielec and Rzeszów). In the end of the year first cars left the assembly plant. Additionally, two convertible models were presented.
Taking into consideration the price, which should not exceed the price of a similar cubic capacity motorcycle by more than 25 - 30% we may assume that it will constitute a very popular means of transportation for a wide spectrum of users - the then press reported.
Mikrus turned out to be very popular. However, high cost of manufacture prevented the idea from spawning a mass, individual motorization. Simultaneously, high price of the vehicle was impeding. Mikrus cost 50 thousand Polish Złoty, the average of 50 salaries. Much bigger Warszawa cost 120 thousand Polish Złoty.
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
microcar
Microcar
A microcar is the smallest automobile classification usually applied to standard small car . Such small cars were generally referred to as cyclecars until the 1940s. More recent models are also called bubblecars due to their egg-shaped appearance.-Definition:The definition of a microcar has varied...
produced between 1957 - 1960 with a body built by WSK Mielec and engines by WSK Rzeszów
PZL
PZL was the main Polish aerospace manufacturer of the interwar period, based in Warsaw, functioning in 1928-1939...
. Only 1,728 units were built.
Model history
Mikrus was sketched as a cheap car for the masses. The idea to design this construction, one of the sparse Polish automobile constructions, arose coincidentally. In the end of 1956 the authorities decided to make use of the production capacity generated by the aerospace manufacturers WSK MielecMielec
Mielec is a city in south-eastern Poland with a population of 60,979 inhabitants, as of June 2009. It is located in the Subcarpathian Voivodeship ; previously it was in Rzeszów Voivodeship...
and WSK Rzeszów
Rzeszów
Rzeszów is a city in southeastern Poland with a population of 179,455 in 2010. It is located on both sides of the Wisłok River, in the heartland of the Sandomierska Valley...
. Both plants were producing only planes and motorcycles. The new plan assumed adding automobile manufacture. During the initial period WSK Rzeszów prepared engine documentation, while WSK Mielec focused on the chassis and bodywork. The project was presented in the beginning of 1957, during the National Automotive Meeting. The first prototypes were presented on July 22, 1957 in Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
. The new car was named Mikrus MR 300 (initials of the words Mielec and Rzeszów). In the end of the year first cars left the assembly plant. Additionally, two convertible models were presented.
Taking into consideration the price, which should not exceed the price of a similar cubic capacity motorcycle by more than 25 - 30% we may assume that it will constitute a very popular means of transportation for a wide spectrum of users - the then press reported.
Mikrus turned out to be very popular. However, high cost of manufacture prevented the idea from spawning a mass, individual motorization. Simultaneously, high price of the vehicle was impeding. Mikrus cost 50 thousand Polish Złoty, the average of 50 salaries. Much bigger Warszawa cost 120 thousand Polish Złoty.
Mikrus pick-up
In 1960 when the manufacture of Mikrus was terminated the WSK Milece construction office prepared within 10 days a prototype of a pick-up version. It was a response to the directive of the Government which ordered the manufacturers to produce a compact panel truck. The demand of the Polish market was estimated at the level of 100 thousand units. The vehicle could transport a load not exceeding 200 kg (441 lb). The same arrangement of wheels and suspension as in the original was used. The loading part could be covered with a canvas cloak. This project similarly as the convertible one was not implemented into production.Technical details
- Engine:
- MI-10A two-stroke, 2 cylinder, 296cc (18 cu.in) inline engine, carburator fed , 14.5HP.
- Fuel:
- 2-stroke mix (96 percent gasoline, 4 percent mineral oil).
- Body:
- 2 door limousine (2+2 seats).
- MonocoqueMonocoqueMonocoque is a construction technique that supports structural load by using an object's external skin, as opposed to using an internal frame or truss that is then covered with a non-load-bearing skin or coachwork...
- Dimension:
- Length – 3025 mm (119.1 in)
- Width – 1315 mm (51.8 in)
- Height – 1350 mm (53.1 in)
- Wheelbase – 1025 mm (40.4 in)
- Trunk capacity - 200 dm3
- Gas tank – 27,5 dm3
- Size of tires – 4,40 * 10
- Mass: 472 kg (1,041 lb)
- Load capacity: 228 kg (503 lb)
- Performance:
- Maximum speed – 90 km/h (56mph)
- Turning back diameter – 8 m (315 in)
- Fuel economy: 4l/100 km (59mpg)
External links
- Website about the car (in Polish)
- Short movie from the Mikrus owners rally in 2007 - 50th anniversary (in Polish, low quality)