This unassuming German coupe quietly changed engine design forever: it was the world's first production car fitted with a belt-driven camshaft, a setup nearly every car uses today.
Lead trim: 1004 992 cc OHC four (40 PS, 1965–1968) · up to 59 hp
Glas 1004 / 1204 / 1304Typ 612 · 1962–1968
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Nobody in Burbles has spotted a Glas 1004 / 1204 / 1304 yet. See one on the street, point the app at it, and the first card is yours — with your @handle permanently credited on this page.
FactThis unassuming German coupe quietly changed engine design forever: it was the world's first production car fitted with a belt-driven camshaft, a setup nearly every car uses today.
The Glas 1004 is a small two-door, four-seater automobile produced by Hans Glas GmbH at Dingolfing, first exhibited in coupé form at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1961; volume production of the 1004 coupé started in May 1962, with saloon and cabriolet versions and the more powerful 1204 joining in January 1963, the 1304 in September 1965 and a fastback Kombilimousine (estate) in September 1966; the 04s were produced at least until December 1967 (new cars were listed through much of 1968), 40,703 in all. It grew from a 1960 research-workshop engine by Leonhard Ischinger, a four-cylinder OHC unit with valve gear driven by a toothed rubber cam-belt, novel at the time: the 992 cc engine gave 42 PS (31 kW) at 5,000 rpm, reduced to 40 PS (29 kW) with an updated entry-level 1004 in September 1965. The 1204 (January 1963) had its stroke extended from 61 to 73 mm for 1,189 cc and a claimed 53 PS (39 kW) at 5,100 rpm, and a single-carburettor 1304 (1,290 cc) with 44 kW (60 PS) became available in 1965. The estate cars (1004 CL and 1304 CL, "Combi Limousine") met with little success, the CL continuing until April 1968 after BMW's takeover and inspiring BMW's 02-series Touring. Wheelbase 2,100 mm (83 in), length 3,835 mm (151.0 in), width 1,500 mm (59 in), height 1,370 mm (54 in) as saloon and estate and 1,355 mm (53.3 in) as coupé and cabriolet, with a 4-speed all-synchromesh manual.
Collectors Spotted in the Glas 1004 / 1204 / 1304 Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the Glas 1004 / 1204 / 1304 yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Trims & Figures
4 published trims in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1004 992 cc OHC four (40 PS, 1965–1968) | 1965–1968 | 1.0 L Inline-4 | 39 hp | — | — | RWD | — | — |
| 1004 992 cc OHC four (42 PS, 1962–1965) | 1962–1965 | 1.0 L Inline-4 | 41 hp | — | — | RWD | — | — |
| 1204 1,189 cc OHC four (53 PS, 1963–1968) | 1963–1968 | 1.2 L Inline-4 | 52 hp | — | — | RWD | — | — |
| 1304 1,290 cc OHC four, single carburetter (60 PS, 1965–1968) | 1965–1968 | 1.3 L Inline-4 | 59 hp | — | — | RWD | — | — |
Owning one
We don’t estimate running costs for a car like this. What it costs depends on its condition, its specialist and how it is driven, and an average would mislead.
Owners’ builds
Nobody has claimed one yet.
Photographs
In May 1964, Glas priced the 1204 TS at 6,980 DM for a car that matched rivals costing 10,000 DM or more — nearly a third cheaper for comparable performance and trim.
This unassuming German coupe quietly changed engine design forever: it was the world's first production car fitted with a belt-driven camshaft, a setup nearly every car uses today.
Rivals
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
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