As we all knew, that in the first years after World War II, the world's economies were ruined and stagnant. So, it can be explained financially at that time no one can afford to buy a car. What we could be seen at the time only the damaged roads throughout Europe, and only bicycles and people on the foot pass over on the streets. Then slowly but sure, these financial limitations also can trigger an explosion in demand for motorbikes and scooters as a means of transportation, so motorcycle manufacturers sprang up all over Europe to revive the economy wheel after being stagnant during World War II.
Due to its unique looks like a car, so the 1951 Maico Mobil earned the title the 'two-wheeled car' in the time. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2RxAbJ7)
At that time it was noted that two Italian manufacturers, Piaggio or Innocenti tried to pioneer two-wheeled vehicles based on the American scooter-designed and then considered as the first country to popularize the culture of scooters throughout the universe since the day. In addition, there are names of producers from England, France, and the Soviet Union and many others which appeared shortly after. And in Germany itself, several producer names have sprung up such as DKW, Glas, Heinkel, Zundapp, Dürkopp, Kroboth, etc.
Among the many companies from Germany that produce scooters and one of them is Maico. The company was founded in 1926 by Ulrich Maisch. Initially, this manufacturer produced bicycles, and ten years later the German company developed into producing motorbikes using 143cc engines produced by German specialist 2-stroke engine manufacturer, ILO-Motorenwerke, to power various utilitarian lightweight motorbikes. At the end of World War II, with money from the Marshall Plan, Maico built a line of single and double-cylinder 2-stroke motorbikes under the names Blizzard and Typhoon, and this was followed in 1951 by producing the Maico Mobil.
The scooter mentioned above is powered by a 148cc 2-stroke engine, the car has an aluminum bodywork and fairings built on a tubular space frame, which is unique in terms of construction and style and owes little to other two-wheeled vehicles. This provides maximum weather protection and carrying capacity for riders and passengers, and with the engine cooling fan installed between the dashboard and the driver's seat, period reporters find it very difficult to describe it either as a motorcycle or a scooter. Perhaps not surprisingly, it earned the title "two-wheeled car."
Then in 1954, the engine capacity was enlarged to 173cc, and the larger 197cc version was debuted too, which was able to produce 11 horsepower at 5,000rpm. The bodywork remains the same throughout the Car production range, but the larger 197cc motorbike sees a 3-speed-grip-controlled transmission replaced by a 4-speeder, which is controlled by a heel-and-toe shifter pedal. The wheels are offset to facilitate wheel replacement in case of a puncture, with a backup stored in the rear bodywork. The front suspension is a telescopic fork, while on the rear the ride is comfortable for pilots and passengers provided by a set of twin shocks along with a plush rubber Pagusa seat.
With a gas tank capacity of 2.5 gallons, the Mobil was perfect for touring, and in early 1953 Willem Dussel completed world exploration with his comprehensively equipped MB200: The combined weight of the driver, suitcase and engine weighing 660 pounds. There is no doubt that even in its standard specifications - the work of the coach themselves weighing 253 pounds - the MB200 is a heavy beast. However, it can maintain a comfortable 50mph cruising speed with little or no protest from its 2-stroke single-engine, as evidenced by the MotorCycle in a review of the model in October 1956.
Unlike most scooters in the time, the Maico scooter fuel tank is mounted in the front under the dashboard, which also contains a glove box, ignition switch, and gear indicator on the speedometer. This leaves room for a large pair of panniers under the seat that is enough to store other goods.
Compared to many similar scooter products at the time, the Mobil was undoubtedly one of the most luxurious scooters built during the 1950s, but its radical appearance and high price meant that it was not a big seller. However, today, it is highly valued and regarded by connoisseurs as the "Holy Grail" of small two-wheeled vehicles. So to get one of the Maico scooters moreover the rare MB200 model has become a dream for the true scooter fans and collectors around the world with the price tags of thousands of euros.
Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BONHAMS | MOTORCYCLECLASSICS]
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At that time it was noted that two Italian manufacturers, Piaggio or Innocenti tried to pioneer two-wheeled vehicles based on the American scooter-designed and then considered as the first country to popularize the culture of scooters throughout the universe since the day. In addition, there are names of producers from England, France, and the Soviet Union and many others which appeared shortly after. And in Germany itself, several producer names have sprung up such as DKW, Glas, Heinkel, Zundapp, Dürkopp, Kroboth, etc.
Compared to many similar scooter products at the time, the Mobil was undoubtedly one of the most luxurious scooters built during the 1950s, but its radical appearance and high price meant that it was not a big seller. However, today, it is highly valued and regarded by connoisseurs as the "Holy Grail" of small two-wheeled vehicles. So to get one of the Maico scooters moreover the rare MB200 model has become a dream for the true scooter fans and collectors around the world with the price tags of thousands of euros.
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