Autenrieth

Georg Autenrieth (born 1881) completed his apprenticeship as a wheelwright at Auer Karosserie. After his apprenticeship, he successfully passed his master craftsman's examination and in 1905 moved to the Neckarsulm-based vehicle manufacturer NSU. Here he made a name for himself as a bodywork technician. In 1912, Georg Autenrieth founded Karosseriewerke Weinsberg together with bank director Franz Eisenloh in Weinsberg. In 1921, Georg Autenrieth separated from his partner Fritz Eisenlohr to set up a new company in Darmstadt: "Erste Darmstädter Karosseriewerke Georg Autenrieth". From 1922 onwards, bodywork was produced for a wide variety of car manufacturers (Adler, Austin Healey, BMW, Fafag, Falcon, Imperia, Opel, Maybach, Mercedes, Porsche, Röhr, Veritas, etc.). Up to 400 people were employed. Many coachbuilt cars won prizes in automobile beauty contests. Georg Autenrieth died on 17 June 1950 and his daughters Gertrud Friebis and Helene Trüby took over the management of the company. Son-in-law Franz Trüby was responsible for the technical area and the development of new bodywork designs. In the 1950s, coupés and convertibles were created on the chassis of the BMW 501 and 502, which were characterised by their elegant lines. A convertible saloon based on the Opel Rekord A became one of the last works of the Autenrieth company before it closed its doors for good in 1964.