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  BMW 2 - Veritas



The history of Ernst Loof contains tragic elements. Before the war he was the head of the racing department and as such he was probably closely connected to the design and racing successes of the BMW 328. In general, he saw the future of BMW more in racing than on the road. During the war he worked in a factory for the repair of aircraft engines near Paris.

After that, his former colleagues were scattered in all directions. Loof alone felt to be determined to return to racing. Preferably at BMW of course, but there they had other worries, many of the alumni obviously can not be employed. What remains is the establishment of a small company of one's own.

The name 'Veritas' (lat. truth) of the new company seems to have originated rather accidentally. Schorsch Meier, one of the greats of BMW racing, first on two and later on four wheels. He wanted to join his old company, too, but they so far only offered him a job in plant security.


Together with three other former BMW employees, the company started at Kaufbeuren, then near Sigmaringen. Finally they were in Rastatt-Muggensturm, where Meßkirch is located between Sigmaringen and Lake Constance, even after 70 years, is still most likely to be associated with the company through appropriately organised meetings.

The year was 1947, so we are on the verge of the DM currency reform. In Germany there were hardly any customers for the expensive used technology bought from the BMW 328 together combined with the tubular frames and superstructures made of light metal, available for approx. 28,000 DM. They probably aimed at Frenchmen and above all Americans to use such vehicles for racing and could afford it.

You guessed it already, the economic success was missing. Ernst Loof in particular may have done a great job, because Veritas is credited with twelve German championships by 1953. It is exactly the time, before e.g. Porsche came to its successes in racing. Although the company itself is not enthusiastic and even prohibits the use of the BMW emblem.

The few private racing drivers may not have kept to it and for BMW the dust stirring action against old, deserving employees is certainly not a glorious event. The result can be expected: 1953 the small company, which had drifted apart long ago, was collected by BMW after it had fallen into bankruptcy in Loof's barrack at the Nürburgring.


Among the many models with different looks and some with much smaller engine variants, the RS stands out at the top. One considers find it simply one of the most beautiful, ever built Vehicles of this type. Overdone? Maybe, but on the classic car market the estimated 70 out of 90 remaining cars seem to have reached asset value by now.

The whole thing still has a sequel, because the American representative Maxi Hoffmann demands an opponent to the just released Mercedes 300 SL. After all, BMW had meanwhile equipped the 502 with an eight- cylinder engine and Loff saw his chance to participate in the competition for the bodywork.


He actually received an order and delivered the above draft on time. But it does not meet with Hoffmann's approval. Finally, the stylist Albrecht Graf Goertz is commissioned and draws a mercilessly beautiful cabriolet. After all, the 507 becomes at least an aesthetic success. It has sold sluggishly. Ernst Loof died in 1956.


A two-seater without a roof with a five-litre V8 is to revive the Veritas tradition. In 1999, Paetz, Trick, Laufer and Söhngen secured the rights to the name, founded Vermot for 'Veritas' and 'Motorsport' and are planning a small series. In addition, they employ freelancers, e.g. an engineer who is familiar with the German Touring Car Masters. As top motorization even a V10 is in the focus, driving achievements and price breath-robbing.



English subtitles possible . . .








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