These are the very rare cars that I have in store for you today! These German ‘Walfisch’ automobiles, i.e. whale cars, are extremely rare it seems, because there is not much information to find about them! They are called the Walfisch-BlitzBlank cars and there appear to have been two different models, each used for advertising purposes in and around Berlin.Walfisch-BlitzBlank was a company which produced (personal) hygiene products like toothpaste, mouthwash, shampoo and cleaning products. Obviously their strategy was to advertise their products using these whale-like vehicles, making a statement and to boost their sales! The vehicles were a real attraction in the streets of Berlin at the beginning of the Roaring Twenties.

The 2nd and 3th photo show the whale vehicles that are advertising for Walfisch-BlitzBlank what I believe is some kind of cleaning/desinfection wonder-product. The whale has a deep mouth with teeth, but not as pronounced as on the other vehicle. That one was used to promote shampoo and another product, possibly shaving cream. Lets hope so because if Pinocchio’s dad Geppetto stayed in the belly of that whale for a long time, at least he was able to wash his hair and shave his beard.

The one visible license plate confirms that the Walfisch-BlitzBlank vehicles were registered in Germany, so there you go Pinocchio… off to Germany! Tomorrow a ‘VIG’ (very important goose) passenger as an intro of the weekend article!

Written by Rosemarijn Atalante Veenenbos