This story began in the first years after World War II ended, it can be described financially that no one can afford a car and what is seen on the damaged roads seen throughout Europe are only bicycles and people on foot. And then there was an explosion in demand for motorbikes and scooters as a means of transportation, so motorcycle manufacturers were popping up all over Europe to turn the wheels of the economy again after being stagnant during World War II.
At that time it was noted several names of manufacturers from Italy began to surface as Piaggio or Innocenti tried to pioneer scooters based on the American designed scooters and then considered as the first country to popularize the scooter cultures throughout the universe. Besides that, there were several names of manufacturers from England, France and Russia (in the time of the Soviet Union) that emerged shortly after that. And in Germany itself, several names of manufacturers have sprung up such as DKW, Glas, Heinkel, Zundapp, Maico Mobil, Dürkopp and many others.
1950 Kroboth 100 or Kroboth Teddy in the museum Auto & Uhrenwelt Schramberg, Germany. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2BPpNV0)
Besides the names of the German manufacturers mentioned above, it turns out there is still another manufacturer from Germany who manufactures unique-shaped scooters even though in small amounts. It is known that the scooter manufacturer in question was founded by Gustav Kroboth and named Fahrzeug-und Maschinenbau G. Kroboth.
Gustav Kroboth grew up in the Sudetenland and had developed a love for all mechanical things since he was a young aged. When he turned 18, he constructed his own motorcycle engine, and a few years later began building by hand a BMW Dixi copy. After the war, he settled in Bavaria where he found himself with nothing but his tinkering skills which he put to work to try and eke out a
living.
In 1950, he managed has small, thriving poppy seed grinders and wooden toys business built out of old war equipment. After he managed to have enough money, he returns to do what he likes; build things with wheels and machines. On one occasion he had read an article about Vespa which would be introduced in Germany which then gave him an idea. He realized the need for something economical like a scooter but knew they could not look like motorbikes since they had all that weight at the back.
1951 Kroboth 150 Cabrio in the museum Auto & Uhrenwelt Schramberg, Germany. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2PsIZzR)
So, he built a modified motorcycle frame with a Fitchel & Sachs 100 cc two-stroke engine placed under the rider and gave it unique leaf spring suspension. Then wrapped it in a scooter like a sheet metal disguise. The first hand-made Kroboth scooter weighed around 60 kg. By riding this handmade scooter, Gustav often goes around his neighborhood.
The scooter is inspired by the vibe of the steampunk design that is visible from the slats in the front cowling. And Gustav takes about 4 months to design and build a prototype. In mid-1951, he ceased producing poppy seed grinders by starting to manufacture the scooter in small number productions. He made a few refinements and was pushing them out by the fall of that year. Initially, the scooter was named "Kroboth 100", but soon the name was changed to "Kroboth Teddy," and made until 1953.
Then the second scooter model was made starting in 1951 up to 1953, using a 150 cc 2-stroke engine and weighed up to 98 kg. This scooter has a strong construction because it follows the design of other German scooters such as Maico and Heinkel. Where these scooters have bent large front shields which also include the front wheels, so German scooters often look much heavier with a more rounded shape than the Italian-made, which generally leave the front wheels free of the fenders.
And the third scooter model began to be made in 1953 with a modernized front fender construction so that the size is not too big but still functions well. Scooters that weigh between 130-133 kg, in addition to already having an electric starter. They could be had with a choice of three engines, 98cc, 147cc, and 175cc’s with the biggest one only available with a sidecar.
Because the Kroboth scooter construction method is still largely based on manual work. As a result, competition against larger brands cannot be maintained and in 1955 the last scooter was built.😢 Previously, Kroboth also ever built a three-wheeled microcar named Kroboth Allwetter Roller.
