Lady driver and her dogs somewhere in Greece, at the ‘30s

History of Vehicles in Greece 1895 - 1970

Angelo Trakadas Member of Culture Commission

This article aims to inform the readers about the history of vehicles in Greece and the current Classic Vehicles movement in Greece. Greece was not a country that produced vehicles (with some limited exceptions), so the vehicles were imported from other countries, especially from Europe. It is an interesting story, with romance, pioneers, many modifications and the meaning of vehicles to the Greece of previous decades. Today’s classic vehicles movement will be presented too.

I’ve focused on the most significant moments and stories, trying to create a not so long article, so no one gets bored reading it. Of course if you want more information, I will provide it to you.

All the photos are part of my collection.

The early days

The very first vehicle that came to Greece was a three-wheeler motorcycle (possibly French made) back in 1895, imported by a gentleman of the era called Nikolas Kontogiannakis. The same gentleman, brought 2 years later the first car in Greece, a one cylinder 2hp Peugeot. Those vehicles used for a small period as there were no mechanics or the knowhow to maintain and repair them. At 1901 arrived the first taxi and the next years more vehicles came and in 1907 we can find 7 cars in Athens. At 1907 also happened the first car accident. Owners of the vehicles were aristocrats, bank owners and members of the royal family, especially king Alexander was a great driver and motorcyclist of the days. Races between the first owners took place at the empty streets of Athens. They used to enjoy driving at the Athens Riviera and explore nature away from the rest people. Those days the public transport system was very organized using electric trams and steam buses. The only place someone could buy petrol were the pharmacy stores as it was used as cleaning method too. The first Greek vehicle produced for 2 years 1918 – 1920 with Pierce engine by the Theologou company, an example (but without engine),is part of the Hellenic Motor Museum. At 1924 the first car club, “ELPA” founded and used to organize travels, excursions and print maps and books for the very first motorists. Most of the vehicles were British, French and Americans. Races used to organized these days, where 3 Bugatti used to have the best performances, the 1 Bugatti owned and raced by a lady named Loukia Pappou and won many races the years 1924 – 1925. Also at early ‘20s the first tax system for vehicles started.

One of the first ELPA logos

At 13/031935 started the exams for the driving license and everyone who wanted to drive on the public roads had to pass the exams.

The decade of 1930 was even better as the new roads opened and fuel was available at gas stations. Mobil, Shell and Texaco were the first companies in Greece. Especially Shell had developed great marketing by printing maps and books with tips for the motorists, with Shell’s logo. This decade was the best as even more motorcycles and cars imported (new and used), the knowhow became better, workshops opened and spare parts were available. This decade vehicles were a privilege for everyone and they really enjoyed, doing trips, picnics and holidays, that’s why if you drive today through the old national road you will see many abandoned hotels, taverns and gas station from the ‘30s. For first time the houses started to have garage. The years 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937 Greek and foreign crews started from Athens for the Monte Carlo Rally. 1930. Map for trips by cars. Printed by ELPA & SHELL

1934. Notebook in Greek language, by Mobil Socony. Statistics of the cars register in Athens:

Year Number of vehicles 1907 7 1909 37 1915 203 1925 900 1936 35.000

The war

Unfortunately the WWII gave an end to this era. All the vehicles were urged by the army and destroyed at the battle field. Few vehicles of that era survived. Many vehicles came in Greece at the war, as help from the allies and USA and others that Italians and Germans left back. Many of the war vehicles used by the Greek army until the late ‘60s, like Jeep Willys, Ford and Dodge trucks, Norton, BMW, BSA, Triumph, Gilera and Harley Davidson motorcycles.

08/08/1957. Soldiers on a Jeep Willys

17/01/1968. Soldier on Harley Davidson 20/08/1958. Soldier on Harley Davidson WLA 750 WLA 750

New Era

After the war Greece was totally destroyed and poor. People tried to start their life and build again everything. Buildings started created and the need to transport people and material was very important. At the airport of Athens then called “Hasani” the government had collected all the vehicles from the war that the army wouldn’t use. Everyone could go and buy a vehicle at a really low price. Most people bought motorcycles, because it was cheaper to buy and maintain a motorcycle. Because cars and trucks were expensive the motorcycles had to do every job. So motorcycles like BSA M20, Norton H16, Gilera LTE used to have a handmade sidecar, capable to transfer raw materials, old houses pieces and of course furniture and whatever a new house will need. For heavier use, BMW R12 and R75, Zundapp KS 750 and other war bikes were modified to “Fourkoni”. A mix of motorcycle and light truck, they used to cut the back part of the motorcycle and put a differential and wheels from a Willys Jeep, on it they created a trolley. A very common job of these days was carrier.

Zundapp KS750 “fourkoni

At early ‘50s things started to get better and people wanted to buy vehicles, for their transport but most of all, to explore nature and get away from the city at every chance. Once again motorcycles were more famous, because of the lowest price. The weather of course helped a lot. A famous small car in Greece was “Attica”. A car made in Greece using Sachs and Henkel engines. They were produced for two decades (1950- 1960) and sold many cars. Because of the Marshall plan it was not allowed to import new cars from other countries, but only from USA.

1950. “The motorcycle”, a book about the use and repair of motorcycles. It prepares the reader that the modern motorcycles have the gear change lever on the foot.. When scooters introduced, they became famous in Greece and gave to more people the chance to leave the city behind, see nature, sea and meet romance and freedom. Cars were a privilege of rich people, who didn’t want to ride motorcycles because they were linked with poor people and accidents. The taxis also used to be American cars, like Cadillacs and Chevrolet.

Early ‘50s, couple with British motorcycles in

Greece. Note the number plates: 239 & 240.

Exploring Greece on scooters. Late ‘50s Hunting next to an “Attica” car.

Happy and untroubled moments away from the city, on the back round the vehicles that gave freedom.

Chevrolet TAXI. Late ‘50s.

A wealthy family with their convertible Mercedes Benz.

In the decade of ‘60s, things were better, it was allowed to import vehicles from every country and the purchase of a car was a dream that could become true. VW Beetle, Morris, Mini, Triumph, MG, Fiat, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Opel,, Skoda, Moschovitch, Panhard were the best sellers of the ‘60s. The cars became more than motorcycles and people preferred them. Some companies produced vehicles in Greece, usually using engines from other companies. An example is MEVEA, producing small motorcycles with Zundapp engines, which the post company and the telephone company bought. MEVEA produced also light trucks.

Usual scene, family with their VW Beetle, early ‘60s.

Proud owner with her little dog.

Proud TAXI driver of the ‘60s, with Mercedes Benz.

Mid ‘60s. Morris Minor van “working” at the JAWA motorcycles dealership.

From the mid ‘60s the number of cars in Greece started to increase a lot. Then the first historic vehicles enthusiasts started to create their community and organize events with historic cars. The very first “Antique rally” took place at 1965organized by ELPA. Most of the cars were Ford model T, prewar Chevrolet, Rolls Royce and Mercedes Benz. At 1972 the first antique car club founded, named PHILPA and today today it’s the biggest club in Greece, member of FIVA for many years. Since 1972 is organizing the “International Rally” with participants from all over the world.

At the ‘70s the number of imported vehicles increased and for first time Japanese cars and motorcycles were best sellers, far ahead from the European vehicles. Nissan and Opel had factories, producing their most famous vehicles in Greece. At Syros Island, at Neorion shipyard created the Enfield 8000, an electric car. It never managed to take approval for the Greeek market but the British Electricity company bought many of them. Examples of Enfield 8000, are in both museums of vehicles in Athens.

PHILPA old logo. PHILPA new logo

Today in Greece are about 16.000 historic vehicles and many clubs. Most of the vehicles have FIVA ID card, as the ANF (FILPA Federation, promotes) it a lot. Every weekend many great events are getting place. Exhibitions, regularity rallies, tours and trips make every classic vehicle enthusiast happy and give the opportunity to enjoy the vehicle.

Two museums are based in the center of Athens.

The Hellenic Motor Museum (with historic cars)

The Motorcycle Republik (with historic motorcycles)

Both are professional members of FIVA. Many collectors have collections with about 100 vehicles, but those collections are not open to the public. Greece as a country with beautiful nature, roads by the sea and many ancient places give many opportunities to enjoy a classic vehicle. The winter is smooth, so vehicles are not storage and not used for long periods.