History of Vehicles in Greece

1895 - 1970

Angelo Trakadas

Member of Culture Commission

Lady driver and her dogs somewhere in Greece, at the ‘30s

This article aims to inform the readers about the history of vehicles in Greece and the current Classic

Vehicles movement in Greece. Greece was not a country that produced vehicles (with some limited

exceptions), so the vehicles were imported from other countries, especially from Europe. It is an interesting

story, with romance, pioneers, many modifications and the meaning of vehicles to the Greece of previous

decades. Today’s classic vehicles movement will be presented too.

I’ve focused on the most significant moments and stories, trying to create a not so long article, so no one

gets bored reading it. Of course if you want more information, I will provide it to you.

All the photos are part of my collection.

The early days

The very first vehicle that came to Greece was a three-wheeler motorcycle (possibly French made) back in

1895, imported by a gentleman of the era called Nikolas Kontogiannakis. The same gentleman, brought 2

years later the first car in Greece, a one cylinder 2hp Peugeot. Those vehicles used for a small period as

there were no mechanics or the knowhow to maintain and repair them. At 1901 arrived the first taxi and

the next years more vehicles came and in 1907 we can find 7 cars in Athens. At 1907 also happened the

first car accident. Owners of the vehicles were aristocrats, bank owners and members of the royal family,

especially king Alexander was a great driver and motorcyclist of the days. Races between the first owners

took place at the empty streets of Athens. They used to enjoy driving at the Athens Riviera and explore

nature away from the rest people. Those days the public transport system was very organized using electric

trams and steam buses. The only place someone could buy petrol were the pharmacy stores as it was used as

cleaning method too. The first Greek vehicle produced for 2 years 1918 – 1920 with Pierce engine by the

Theologou company, an example (but without engine),is part of the Hellenic Motor Museum. At 1924 the

first car club, “ELPA” founded and used to organize travels, excursions and print maps and books for the

very first motorists. Most of the vehicles were British, French and Americans. Races used to organized

these days, where 3 Bugatti used to have the best performances, the 1 Bugatti owned and raced by a lady

named Loukia Pappou and won many races the years 1924 – 1925. Also at early ‘20s the first tax system for

vehicles started.

At 13/031935 started the exams for the driving license and everyone who wanted to drive on the public

roads had to pass the exams.

The decade of 1930 was even better as the new roads opened and fuel was available at gas stations. Mobil,

Shell and Texaco were the first companies in Greece. Especially Shell had developed great marketing by

printing maps and books with tips for the motorists, with Shell’s logo. This decade was the best as even

more motorcycles and cars imported (new and used), the knowhow became better, workshops opened and

spare parts were available. This decade vehicles were a privilege for everyone and they really enjoyed,

doing trips, picnics and holidays, that’s why if you drive today through the old national road you will see

many abandoned hotels, taverns and gas station from the ‘30s. For first time the houses started to have

garage. The years 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937 Greek and foreign crews started from Athens for the Monte Carlo

Rally.

One of the first ELPA logos

Statistics of the cars register in Athens:

Year Number of vehicles

1907 7

1909 37

1915 203

1925 900

1936 35.000

The war

Unfortunately the WWII gave an end to this era. All the vehicles were urged by the army and destroyed at

the battle field. Few vehicles of that era survived. Many vehicles came in Greece at the war, as help from

the allies and USA and others that Italians and Germans left back. Many of the war vehicles used by the

Greek army until the late ‘60s, like Jeep Willys, Ford and Dodge trucks, Norton, BMW, BSA, Triumph,

Gilera and Harley Davidson motorcycles.

1930. Map for trips by cars. Printed by

ELPA & SHELL

1934. Notebook in Greek language, by Mobil

Socony.

08/08/1957. Soldiers on a Jeep Willys

New Era

After the war Greece was totally destroyed and poor. People tried to start their life and build again

everything. Buildings started created and the need to transport people and material was very important. At

the airport of Athens then called “Hasani” the government had collected all the vehicles from the war that

the army wouldn’t use. Everyone could go and buy a vehicle at a really low price. Most people bought

motorcycles, because it was cheaper to buy and maintain a motorcycle. Because cars and trucks were

expensive the motorcycles had to do every job. So motorcycles like BSA M20, Norton H16, Gilera LTE

used to have a handmade sidecar, capable to transfer raw materials, old houses pieces and of course furniture

and whatever a new house will need. For heavier use, BMW R12 and R75, Zundapp KS 750 and other war

bikes were modified to “Fourkoni”. A mix of motorcycle and light truck, they used to cut the back part of

the motorcycle and put a differential and wheels from a Willys Jeep, on it they created a trolley. A very

common job of these days was carrier.

Zundapp KS750 “fourkoni

17/01/1968. Soldier on Harley Davidson

WLA 750

20/08/1958. Soldier on Harley Davidson

WLA 750

At early ‘50s things started to get better and people wanted to buy vehicles, for their transport but most of

all, to explore nature and get away from the city at every chance. Once again motorcycles were more

famous, because of the lowest price. The weather of course helped a lot. A famous small car in Greece was

“Attica”. A car made in Greece using Sachs and Henkel engines. They were produced for two decades

(1950- 1960) and sold many cars. Because of the Marshall plan it was not allowed to import new cars from

other countries, but only from USA.

When scooters introduced, they became famous in Greece and gave to more people the chance to leave the

city behind, see nature, sea and meet romance and freedom. Cars were a privilege of rich people, who didn’t

want to ride motorcycles because they were linked with poor people and accidents. The taxis also used to be

American cars, like Cadillacs and Chevrolet.

1950. “The motorcycle”, a book about the use

and repair of motorcycles. It prepares the

reader that the modern motorcycles have the

gear change lever on the foot..

Early ‘50s, couple with British motorcycles in

Greece. Note the number plates: 239 & 240.

Exploring Greece on scooters. Late ‘50s

Hunting next to an “Attica” car.

Happy and untroubled moments away from

the city, on the back round the vehicles that

gave freedom.

Chevrolet TAXI. Late ‘50s.

A wealthy family with their convertible

Mercedes Benz.

In the decade of ‘60s, things were better, it was allowed to import vehicles from every country and the

purchase of a car was a dream that could become true. VW Beetle, Morris, Mini, Triumph, MG, Fiat, Fiat,

Alfa Romeo, Opel,, Skoda, Moschovitch, Panhard were the best sellers of the ‘60s. The cars became more

than motorcycles and people preferred them. Some companies produced vehicles in Greece, usually using

engines from other companies. An example is MEVEA, producing small motorcycles with Zundapp

engines, which the post company and the telephone company bought. MEVEA produced also light trucks.

Usual scene, family with their VW Beetle,

early ‘60s.

Proud owner with her little dog.

Proud TAXI driver of the ‘60s, with

Mercedes Benz.

From the mid ‘60s the number of cars in Greece started to increase a lot. Then the first historic vehicles

enthusiasts started to create their community and organize events with historic cars. The very first “Antique

rally” took place at 1965organized by ELPA. Most of the cars were Ford model T, prewar Chevrolet, Rolls

Royce and Mercedes Benz. At 1972 the first antique car club founded, named PHILPA and today today it’s

the biggest club in Greece, member of FIVA for many years. Since 1972 is organizing the “International

Rally” with participants from all over the world.

At the ‘70s the number of imported vehicles increased and for first time Japanese cars and motorcycles were

best sellers, far ahead from the European vehicles. Nissan and Opel had factories, producing their most

famous vehicles in Greece. At Syros Island, at Neorion shipyard created the Enfield 8000, an electric car. It

never managed to take approval for the Greeek market but the British Electricity company bought many of

them. Examples of Enfield 8000, are in both museums of vehicles in Athens.

Today in Greece are about 16.000 historic vehicles and many clubs. Most of the vehicles have FIVA ID

card, as the ANF (FILPA Federation, promotes) it a lot. Every weekend many great events are getting place.

Exhibitions, regularity rallies, tours and trips make every classic vehicle enthusiast happy and give the

opportunity to enjoy the vehicle.

Two museums are based in the center of Athens.

The Hellenic Motor Museum (with historic cars)

The Motorcycle Republik (with historic motorcycles)

Both are professional members of FIVA.

PHILPA old logo. PHILPA new logo

Mid ‘60s. Morris Minor van “working” at

the JAWA motorcycles dealership.

Many collectors have collections with about 100 vehicles, but those collections are not open to the public.

Greece as a country with beautiful nature, roads by the sea and many ancient places give many opportunities

to enjoy a classic vehicle. The winter is smooth, so vehicles are not storage and not used for long periods.