Another interesting lot to discover an unknown car manufacturer (for me) is auctioned during the Bonhams Amelia Island Sale with thi 1950 Veritas Scorpion Cabriolet, rare post-war German coach-built sports car. The bid will start at $US 350,000.

Did you know this German sports and race car company Veritas ?

First time I hear about it... Always good to discover something new.

History of the Veritas Scorpion

At first, we'll talk about the German car manufacturer, Veritas, its full name, Veritas-Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Sport und Rennwagenbau (Veritas-Joint Venture for the Construction of Sport and Racing Vehicles).

It was founded just after the World War II by Ernst Loof (automotive engineer, racing driver and former head of BMW's racing division), Georg Meier (motorcycle racer) and Lorenz Dietrich (former BMW sales manager). They wanted to build a new racing car on the basis of the BMW 328.

"Right from the start the Veritas Rennsport was competitive, winning the German 2-Litre sports car championship three years on the trot from 1947 to 1949." - (Source)

With this successes, Veritas wanted to build a road car. So in 1949, the Comet was introduced, then the two-seat convertible Scorpion and the Saturn, a coupé with three seats. The Scorpion's coachwork (all in aluminum) was designed by Karosseriebau Spohn, Germain coachbuilder working with Bugatti, Steyr, Mercedes Benz, and Maybach in the 20's and 30's.

In 1953, the company was bought by BMW. Only 78 cars were produced during this period.

Specification

The 1,988cc OHV inline 6 cylinder engine (BMW 327) with the two Solex carburetors can produce 90 hp at 4,750 rpm.
The Scorpion has 4 speed manual transmission with independent suspension and hydraulic drum brakes on the 4 wheels.