Imagine if this project startet in 1970 when Norway had the oil finance to back out of the deal with East-Europe. (I don't know wether it would do good because I don't know how the cars were in 1970, but at least Norway had the finances to back this project then)
Great video. I had no idea Norway had plans to start manufacturing cars. And Im swedish. Trabants bodies were made with Duroplast. Wich is a story in itself.
The algorithms found this story. Short summary: In the early post war period, the Norwegian government used all available foreign currency to reestablish the merchant fleet that had been decimated during the war. Also, we had to rebuild the northern counties where everything was destroyed by the nazi occupiers (scorched earth), as well as many damaged and destroyed towns and industrial plants further south. Also, the defence costed a lot. So, western cars were among the restricted "luxury" products. The government made a deal with East Block countries, exchanging cars (and other consumer items) with ... yes, fish. The cars were not great, but they worked and the "exchange rate" was extremely favourable to Norway. Still, maybe this "planned economy" policy lasted too long. By 1956, most scars from the war were repaired and the economy was good,
@@CoryAtRandom You welcome, just to give some context. The post-war period was a time of tightly regulated economies in most Westen European countries rebuilding after a devastating war. At the same time, the costly welfare state model became common, to reduce rampant poverty and to quench political extremism (both fascism and communism). The many weird and wonderful European vehicles of the period were how the car producers responded to a myriad of strict regulations, as well as trying to make affordable alternatives to horses, bikes and motorbikes, especially on the countryside.
@@CoryAtRandom I think that all of them are in Norway, one is displayed at the place they was built (Lunde in Telemark county) And the others are on museums.
I don't know where all of them are, but I know that one of them are displayed at the automobil museum at Hunderfossen, but that is as I remember it a bit rebuilt, the rear window is changed in order to make it certified for more passengers. The last car was discovered some years ago and are now beeing restored I do not remember who ownes it
