Albar was a maker of Dune Buggies, Custom VW Beetles, and kit cars that traded from 1978 until 1993. It was started in Buochs, Switzerland by an entrepreneur named Alois Barmettler and the name of the company was a combination of the initial letters of his first and last names. His firm was famous for over the top creations and his Dune buggies proved very popular.
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| The Albar Sonic (image c/o TKC Magazine) |
In 1982 Albar introduced its wildest creation yet, the Sonic, which featured an extreme wedge shaped profile, scissor doors, and a unique set of 7 concealed headlights. The original car was based on the VW Beetle chassis and floorpan, retaining its air-cooled flat-4 motor mounted at the rear. However later versions used a custom tubular frame that allowed for a mid-engine layout and VW Golf or Renault 25 power.
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| The Albar Sonic Spyder |
An open top "Spyder" version was offered with Porsche power in 1982. Then in 1984 the Sonic 2 was released with a mid-engine, 2+2 layout and a new headlight design featuring 2 sets of 3 headlights under retractable lids. This car featured VW Golf 1600 power and a bespoke chassis, but retained most of the styling of the original Sonic. This version made its debut at the Geneva Salon.
The Sonic was also sold in the UK by 1-Six-2 Engineering, based in North London. A total of 10 were sold, 6 of which went to a single Arab customer. These were similar to the later Albar cars with their custom chassis, 2+2 seating, and VW Golf power.
The final Sonic version was introduced in 1991 by Albar and was offered with a 6-cylinder Renault motor, mounted mid-rear, as a turn-key car.
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| The Albar Sonic (aka Korda World Car) in the movie "Killing Cars" |
While not well known outside of Germany, the 1986 film "Killing Cars" featured the Sonic in the eponymous role, albeit rebranded as the "Korda World Car".
The story concerned an inventor of an environmentally friendly car in a "complex story of automotive intrigue, oil barons, corporate finance, and international villainy, the inventor of an environmentally friendly car powered by energy cells becomes the target of killers. After Ralph Korda has given his patented "World Car" to a German automaker for testing, he is confronted by ominous men, eager to get their hands on his patent. Evil Arab petroleum lords also want to stop this threat to the gasoline market any way they can", according to IMDb.
Accounts vary on the subject, but sometime between 1993 and 1999, the Sonic ceased production. While not the most handsome kit car of its era, it was certainly one of the most distinctive and ambitious of its kind.
Sources:
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| The Albar Sonic (UK Brochure) |
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| The Albar Sonic brochure |
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| The Albar Sonic |
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| The Albar Sonic Spyder |
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| The Albar Sonic, at rear |
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| The Albar Sonic making its debut at the Geneva Salon in 1983 |
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| The Albar Sonic, aka Korda World Car in the movie "Killing Cars" |
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