Interesting Stories that have been shared with us.
Translations by Sigmund Ronneberg
Norsk text by Harald Tønnesen, translated by Sigmund Rønneberg
In 1996 we celebrate the 100 year jubilee of the first car to arrive in Norway, a Benz Phantom that was used in the area of Gjøvik in the summer of 1896.
The second car to arrive in Norway, came in 1898. "This one also from the Benz factory in Germany. It was the first car in Stavanger, and the first car that rolled on the streets of the capitol.
In the "Stavanger Avis" (Stavanger's newspaper) of Oct. 6, 1898 you could read the following:
"One can now happen to see a motor vehicle in Stavanger. Factory owner Mr. T. Rønneberg has ordered one that is on its way from Germany to Stavanger. It runs on benzene, and can be managed and steered easier than any horse team...
This afternoon the wagon was taken on its first trip. It was excellent. The three of us jumped in and went for a ride in it, several times up and down Jernbaneveien (Railroad street), taking the turns with no effort whatsoever. It felt a little heavy going up the hill from Jernbaneveien to Ladegårdsveien (Ladegård road), but it made it easily passed the theater. With a little practice it should be easier to turn around than any horse. On a flat road, it takes off for real."
In the newspaper "Morgenbladet" of Nov. 15th, the following was written: "We have now, on several occasions, mentioned the motor vehicle imported by Mr. Rønneberg of Stavanger which is now seen in our city.""We met Rønneberg down at Festningsplassen (the plaza of the fort), and were immediately invited for a ride. The wagon achieved a frightening speed. One is tempted to believe there is witchcraft involved in steering and speed regulation, but it all proved to be quite simple."
The Stavanger writer, Theodor Dahl, also writes about "the red car" in his book "The town and its people". They went south to Jæren to visit and had a great new thing to show - a motorboat.
The red wonder stayed in Stavanger a couple of years, but then the engine was taken out and fitted in a boat, and the body was sold to a farmer.
See Link to read more about the Pioneers - all excerpts & the b/w photo above were borrowed from this link... although from that last line it looks like we won't be seeing any red wonder at any local museum here, they were very practical back in the day & probably still are I'm guessing...I love the line about the "frightening speed"--Ooo, faster than a horse full out right?!
www.ronneberg.org/Stories/pioneers.html
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