The 5+ German's classic scooters

When Vespa and Lambretta dominate scooters markets in Europe in the 1960s, the world was more familiar with both of these brands. So dominant, two names that are considered legendary without competitors. In fact, in reality, many scooter makers competitors, particularly from Germany and UK, which tried to lunge for the delicious taste the world's scooter markets at the time.

1956 Heinkel Tourist 175. (Picture from: http://en.wikipedia.org/)

The presence of German scooter, it fills a niche that exists between Vespa and Lambreta on the Mod revival generation era in the UK. In the 70s, where the Mod as music genre and subculture rampant in the wilds of Britain, and scooter became very popular. On this occasion we will discuss 6 classic scooters from the Germany. Here we present those German's classic scooters,

5. DKW Hobby

The Hobby scooter is a production of DKW and Auto Union GmbH in 1954-1957. In 1953, the company decided to enter the scooter business, having previously declined the Piaggio offer to produce Vespa under license.

To make the scooter Hobby, in 1956 DKW later cooperated with the gun makers from the Croissant State named Manufacture de Machines du Haut-Rhin or who is familiarly called Manurhin. Since then they began to build a Hobby scooter using some components local and introduced to the audience as Manurhin MR 75 in Europe and Concord in the UK.

1954 DKW Hobby. (Picture from: http://commons.wikimedia.org/)

When DKW stopping the production of Hobby, Manurhin adamant to continue the production process until the scooter sale. The results were astounding! In 1957, Manurhin managed to be the third as the best scooter sales in Europe after the Lambretta and Vespa.

4. Glas Goggo

Hans Glas GmbH is a German automotive company, based in Dingolfing. At first the company is the agricultural machinery manufacturer. However, Glas evolved into a manufacturer of scooters, and then the car. The story began when Andreas Glas saw the Piaggio Vespa scooters in Verona, Italy in 1951. He was so excited to start the scooter production. In first debut they produced 125 cc scooter, and then increased to 150 cc, 200 cc.

Glas Goggo scooter. (Picture from: http://vespasidecar.blogspot.com/)

The first prototypes of the Goggo scooter showed up in the beginning of 1951. Production started in July of 1951, even though completely new production facilities had to be built. Besides the conventional scooter a version with a sidecar was also offered. In December of 1953 utility 3-wheeler in different configurations were added to the program. Between 1951 and 1956 there's 46,666 Goggo scooters were produced, of which 485 were utility scooters. The scooters were sold for between $340.00 and $440.00 for the standard versions.

3. Heinkel Tourist

Heinkel Tourist is a scooter made ​​by Heinkel Flugzeugwerke in 1953-1965. More than 100,000 units of scooters that have been manufactured and sold. Tourist scooter sold as upscale. This is because the Heinkel Tourist generally heavier, more comfortable, and more stable with standard equipment such as speedometer, steering locks, clocks, luggage carrier rack and spare wheel. So do not be surprised if the price is much more expensive than a Vespa or Lambretta. In the UK Heinkel Tourist referred to as "the Rolls-Royce Scooters" while by dealers in Massachusetts as "Cadillac Scooters".

1956 Heinkel Tourist 175. (Picture from: http://en.wikipedia.org/)

The Tourist had a tubular steel frame to which pressed steel body panels were mounted. The engine of the Tourist was mounted in the frame and drove the rear wheel by a chain enclosed in the swingarm. Thus sheltered, the chain ran in a sealed oil-bath, extending its life and preventing any oil from contacting either scooter or rider. The engines used in Heinkel Tourists were 4-stroke while most other scooters of the time, including the Heinkel 150 light scooter from the 1960s, had 2-stroke engines. 

Besides this scooter that deserves the title of "the Rolls-Royce Scooters" or "Cadillac Scooters" because of the high price, it turns out there are other German-made scooters who deserve to bear the same title, ie the Bastert Einspurauto scooters.

2. Zundapp Bella

Zundapp Bella is a scooter made ​​by Zundapp-Werke GmbH in 1953-1964 in Nuremberg and Munich. During the production phase of more than 130,000 scooters were sold, with engine sizes ranging from 150 cc to 200 cc. In general, Bella is under license Parilla-Italy.

1957 Zundapp Bella. (Picture from: http://www.sodeia.net/)

The design of the Bella was heavily influenced by that of the Parilla Levriere, also known as the Parilla Greyhound. Along with being similar in general appearance, both designs have prominent air tunnels along the centreline of the scooter to allow fresh air to cool the engine without a fan.

1. Maïcoletta

The Maicoletta was a scooter built by Maïco, a Pfaffingen base automotive company rom 1955 to 1966. It was noted by motorcycle journalists in the United States and the United Kingdom for being powerful, responsive, and comfortable. It was one of the heaviest and most expensive motor scooters of its time and predates the touring scooters popularized by the Honda CN250.

1957 Maicoletta 280cc scooter. (Picture from: http://www.flickr.com/)

The two-stroke engine of the Maicoletta used an unusual starter that rocked the crankshaft back and forth before firing instead of rotating it. The Maicoletta was highly regarded in the United Kingdom. When Maico stopped making the Maicoletta, the U.K. importer built more of them from its spare parts inventory.

Dürkopp Diana

Factory founded 1867 by Nikolaus Dürkopp, producing motorcycles before the turn of the century. Motorcycle manufacture ceased between 1912 and 1927. Production of all motorcycles and scooters ended in 1961 as sewing machines were proving more profitable. In the 1920's the Dürkopp automobile factory employed over 6,000 workers building a range of cars which included models from 1,500 cc to over 6 litres.

1958 Dürkopp Diana. (Picture from: http://cybermotorcycle.com/)

In 1954 Dürkopp built the Diana scooter, a relatively luxurious unit with electric start and a four-speed gearbox for its 200cc two-stroke engine. Production of this model ended in 1961. Is she looks beautiful? (Jump to the Soviet Union scooters.)

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of two-wheeled monster and stay alive with the true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WIKIPEDIA | ACADEMIC | UNIKNYA.COM]

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