Draft:Yitzhak Shubinski
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Yitzhak Shubinsky (1914 – July 1981) was an Israeli accountant and industrialist who co-founded Autocars Company Ltd. with Ladislao Schmelzer and served as its CEO from 1957 to 1971. Autocars was a pioneering force in Israel's automotive industry and was the first to initiate the design and manufacturing of an "Israeli" car—the Sussita—alongside other models such as the Carmel, Sabra Sport, and Triumph 1300[1].
Early life and career
Shubinsky was born in Turak, Poland, to Abraham and Hannah. In 1914, following his graduation from a Polish gymnasium, he immigrated to Ottoman Palestine. He began his professional career as an accountant at the Tel Aviv port.
He married Yael Baskind, a native of Rishon LeZion (born 1912) and granddaughter of Yehuda Tzalelchin, a member of the Bilu movement and one of the founding pioneers of Rishon LeZion. They had three children: Dr. Hassia Yerushalmi (b. 1946) and twin sons Moshe and Yehuda (b. 1948).
By 1939, the couple relocated from Sheinkin Street in Tel Aviv to Haifa. Shubinsky initially partnered with his brother-in-law in a wine business, and later entered the shipping industry. He co-founded the Posidon shipping company and began importing tobacco, eggs, and carded wool from Turkey[2].
Founding of Autocars
Shubinsky's entry into the automotive industry began when he visited the workshop of Ladislao Schmelzer, intending to purchase a three-wheeled vehicle to support his tobacco import business. This encounter led to a business partnership, and in 1957, Shubinsky and Schmelzer co-founded Autocars. For political reasons, Shubinsky kept the factory's existence secret until 1959.
In 1960, while serving as CEO of Autocars, he visited a sports car exhibition in London and was impressed by the fiberglass-bodied Ashley car, featuring a chassis developed by British engineer Leslie Ballamy. He secured a license to assemble similar vehicles and formed a partnership with Reliant Motors of the UK. This collaboration led to the development of the Reliant Sabra in the UK and the Sabra Sport in Israel[1][3]
Business challenges and legal issues
In 1969, Shubinsky purchased the automotive factory previously owned by businessman Ephraim Ilin for $3 million. He later claimed that he was pressured into the acquisition by then-Minister Pinhas Sapir. The deal led to severe financial strain, and Shubinsky was accused of bribery and indicted. However, he was acquitted on all charges. Despite the acquittal, the legal expenses left him financially ruined.
Community involvement and death
Shubinsky was known for his volunteer work supporting Israeli soldiers, helping to organize their transportation between military bases and their homes.
In late July 1981, while driving a fiberglass-bodied Reliant Kitten, Shubinsky suffered a heart attack, veered off the road, struck a tree, and was killed. The accident occurred on HaZvi Boulevard in Haifa, near his home. He was buried in Haifa.
See Also
References
- ^ a b "Autocars car, car models and characteristics of Autocars car — AUTOBOOM.co.il". autoboom.co.il. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
- ^ Schmil, Daniel. "Romance, tax evasion and crushed dreams: What happened to the first (And only) Israeli car".
- ^ info@sabre.cz, Sabre, www sabre cz, e-mail. "Sabra / Autocars Co., Ltd. – Made in Israel | Automobil Revue". www.automobilrevue.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 2025-06-23.
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