Opel RAK1

The Opel RAK1, first called the Opel Sander rocket, was the first vehicle with rocket propulsion. Factory engineer and test driver Kurt C. Volkhart built it in spring 1928 on the direct order of Fritz von Opel, first tested it on 12 March 1928 and presented it on 11 April 1928 at the Opel racetrack. It grew out of the rocket pioneer Max Valier's idea, which Fritz von Opel backed with 30,000 reichsmarks. The final car was based on the short chassis of the Opel 10/40 PS with a narrow single-seat body, with its combustion engine removed and a steel box at the rear for twelve solid rockets supplied by Friedrich Wilhelm Sander, and with small wings on the front axle for downforce. At the public demonstration it passed 100 km/h within eight seconds and reached 140 km/h. Afterwards Opel ordered the RAK2, and RAK1 was rebuilt into an ordinary sports car with its four-cylinder engine.