1914 Dixi R12 Tourer
Dixi-Werke1914-01-01/1914-12-31
National Motor Museum, Australia
Birdwood, Australia
Front view. The Dixi R12 Tourer is a rare example of pre-World War One German motor vehicle manufacturing. Dixi-Werke Eisenach manufactured the engine and chassis in Thuringia, Germany between 1910 and 1914. Approximately 553 were built before production was interrupted by World War One. The Dixi-Werke company went through struggles and success, but in 1928 they became part of the then aeroplane manufacturer, BMW.
This Dixi R12 Tourer is undoubtedly among the last existing pre-WWI German manufactured vehicles that had been imported into Australia.
Specifications:
Engine: 4 cylinder, 2.6 litre
Power: 18 hp
Purchased.
- Title: 1914 Dixi R12 Tourer
- Creator: Dixi-Werke
- Date Created: 1914-01-01/1914-12-31
- Location: Birdwood, South Australia
- Provenance: This R12 Tourer came to Australia as a rolling chassis and its coach work was completed by T.J Richards in South Australia. It is an early example of T.J Richard's work. It was purchased by Mr Richard Smith in August 1914. Rumour has it that Richard made money in the United States at the gold mines. He returned to Australia with an American wife and managed a general store in Eden Valley, South Australia. After Richard's death his daughters stored the R12 in a shed for approximately 30 years. In 1954 the late Len Vigar, one of the founders of the National Motor Museum (at the time it was known as the Birdwood Mill Museum), purchased the car from the Smith family and displayed it at the museum.
- Rights: History Trust of South Australia, CC-0, photographer: Epsom Rd Studios
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