D5/78  (1924)

This car was most probably sold by Melbourne agents Jones and Levy in 1924, with touring body built by Apex Body Works.  The car was located near the mouth of the Murray River in the early 1960's by a car body repair professional of German decent, Max Schubert of Murray Bridge.  It seems that Max did little to the car mechanically, but he restored and repainted the bodywork.  Max drove the car very rarely, keeping it for his children.  But when Max passed away in 1992 the children were more interested in selling the car. The present owner obtained the car at this time.  The engine was reconditioned and given alloy pistons and the car was then used regularly in club events until 2007 when it was considered deserving of a full restoration.  Very authentic restoration work was done by Stoewer restoration specialist, Greg Doyle in Armidale, NSW.  Original colours were retained, but the body was given new leather, alloy floor cladding, wiring, hood fabric and tyres.

The model was designated D5/78 indicating that it was a D5 with the bore increased from 75 mm to 78 mm giving an increase in power from 36 HP to 45 HP.  No other difference from a D5 has been identified.  It seems that this high performance model Stoewer D5 was then introduced to the German market as a D12.