Willy Bernath

Willy Bernath was a Swiss cross-country skier and car builder. In the early 1930s, Bernath completed an apprenticeship as a car body worker in Hamburg and Zürich. He did not go into the car repair business straight away, opting to become a skier instead. Bernath became the Swiss national champion in 1936. Bernath competed in the 18 kilometres at the 1936 Garmisch-Partenkirchen Olympics, finishing in 31st place. Bernath also competed in the Nordic combined where he finished 22nd.

After the Olympics, Bernath spent a few months in the United States. On his return to Switzerland, Bernath took over the car repair business that had been founded by his father. From 1938 onwards, Bernath began to manufacture custom-built cars. From 1938 to 1946, fewer than 30 custom-built cars were made leading to the closure of the workshop. Bernath’s car designs were described as being avant-garde.