Balaton (car) facts for kids
The Balaton was a small, cool car made in Hungary! It was called a microcar because it was super tiny. It was built by a company in the town of Székesfehérvár and started being made in 1956.
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Discovering the Balaton Microcar
The Balaton was a special type of car known as a microcar. These cars are much smaller than regular cars you see today. They were popular in some places, especially after World War II, when people needed affordable and fuel-efficient ways to get around.
Who Built This Tiny Car?
The Balaton microcar was created by a company called Székesfehérvári Motorjavitó Vállalat. This company was located in the central Hungarian town of Székesfehérvár. They started making these unique little cars in the year 1956.
What Made the Balaton Special?
The Balaton microcar had some interesting features:
- Engine: It was powered by a 250 cc Pannonia motorcycle engine. This engine produced about 8 horsepower. Using a motorcycle engine helped keep the car small and simple.
- Suspension: The car had a special rubber suspension system. This idea came from Ernő Rubik Sr.. He was the father of Ernő Rubik, who later became famous for inventing the Rubik's cube puzzle!
- Unique Design: The roof and doors of the Balaton were all one piece. This whole section would lift up, like a canopy, to let people get in and out of the car. It was a very unusual and clever design!
The Balaton's Car Family
The same company that made the Balaton also created another microcar called the Alba Regia. The Balaton and the Alba Regia shared many of their mechanical parts. This means they used similar engines and other important pieces inside, even if they looked a little different on the outside.
