The Phänomen (Phenomenon) Granit 1500 is a light truck from Gustav Hiller AG and thus the later VEB Kraftfahrzeugwerk Phänomen Zittau.
Development
The development of this model by Gustav Hiller AG began during the Second World War. Under the Phänomen brand, Hiller already built light trucks with the Phänomen Granit 25 and Granit 30 models, which were also used as panel vans for the medical service or as radio vans.
Even before the start of the war in 1939, it became clear that the variety of types of equipment in the German armed forces would inevitably lead to supply problems. The Schell Plan sought to standardize the types. The result was the type Phänomen Granit 1500, which met the specified standard for vehicles with a payload of 1500 kg.
Schell plan
The Schell Plan was a German plan from World War II aimed at standardization.
Adolf von Schell was a general of the Wehrmacht who, even before the Second World War, came up with the idea of standardizing a number of models of cars, trucks and motorcycles. As a result, all brands could only build a limited number of types, which simplified the supply of parts for the Wehrmacht. This meant that a large number of brands in Germany and the occupied territories were closed down because they did not fit into this Schell plan. Some examples: the motorcycle brands Presto in Chemnitz and Böhmerland in Schönlinde (Bohemia). The Schell Plan was introduced on March 2, 1939.
Production
The Phänomen Granit 1500 was built for the Wehrmacht as a Type S with rear axle and as a Type A with all-wheel drive. Typical of the Type S was the twin tires on the rear axle, the rarer Type A can be recognized by a larger number of screws on the front rim and simple rear wheels.
The vehicles intended as ambulances for the medical service received improved suspension on the rear axle to reduce vibrations during transport. Four-wheel drive vehicles were equipped with larger tires. During the course of the war, manufacturing optimizations were made such as the simplification of the front fenders and, at the end of the war, the use of the standard driver’s cab and the installation of the spare wheel in front of the radiator. After the production facilities were dismantled, the Gustav Hiller AG factory initially repaired primarily Soviet vehicles.
However, since there was a great need for trucks, production was soon resumed. The post-war Phänomen Granit 1500 was first presented as the Phänomen Granit 27 at the spring trade fair in Leipzig in 1948 and was produced in series from 1949. In 1949 the permissible payload was increased to 2 tons. The engine power had to be reduced to 100 hp because of the poor fuel quality. In 1950, 827 Granit 27 (1500) were delivered. From 1951 onwards, a carburetor engine and a diesel engine were available for this vehicle model.
Model variants
The Phänomen Granit 1500 cam ein three variant;
- Flatbed truck
- Ambulance vehicle
- Radio car – German Funkwagen (seen on our photos)
Technical equipment
The car had a non-synchronized four-speed gearbox with additional off-road gear ratio with a 4-cylinder in-line engine, a U-profile frame and hydraulically operated drum brakes. It was developed for a minimum payload of 1500 kilograms.
