Not Many Left

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Raul Valkila from Finland sends us this picture of a Finlandia. Around 1923 only two passenger cars and two light trucks were built on a chassis designed by P.J.Heikkilä from Helsinki. The passenger cars were big and fast tourer models with V-type radiators. Rumour has it that their engines were from a "certain American manufacturer of high quality". Heikkilä tried the Finlandia tourers in a couple of motor races, but it is not known how well the cars succeeded in these events. The picture shows one of the Finlandia trucks used as an ambulance (click); the other truck was used until the early 1960's by the Helsinki Fire Department where it proved to be very reliable. Heikkilä realized that his venture wasn't profitable and soon returned to his original business which was making bodies for buses. Knowing the historical importance and how well the cars were made it is hard to believe that all what is left from the Finlandia's is one radiator badge: an emblem with the Finnish flag and lion (pictures courtesy Raul Valkila). (RB)

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