In Memoriam Eric Zausner

The recently deceased Eric Zausner was best known in the US as an automotive historian and Hot Rod enthusiast. Many of his own Hot Rod creations have graced magazines and documentaries over the years. Famous was his unique collection of Spindizzies, scale model racing cars powered by a genuine miniature combustion engine. In 2018 Eric donated an important part of his collection to the Louwman Museum. The Eric Zausner Spindizzies Collection has been given a prominent place in the museum, underlining the historical value of the collection.

Spindizzies
Racing with these miniature cars began in California in the United States in the mid 1930s and remained a popular hobby until the early 1950s. The cars were powered by a small gasoline engine from a model airplane. At first the cars were attached to a cable that had to be held. The cars drove in circles around the owner, who kept turning with them, which resulted in dizziness, hence the English nickname spindizzies. Later the cars were placed side by side on tracks with rails. Eventually they reached speeds of more than 160 km/h.