A superb and rare photo of the great German NSU factory rider as seen in
1963.
NSU
Motorenwerke AG, (normally just NSU), was founded in 1873. NSU began as a
knitting machine manufacturer in the town of Riedlingen on the Danube
in 1873, and moved to Neckarsulm, where the river Sulm flows into the river Neckar, in 1884. The company soon began to produce
bicycles as well, and by 1892, bicycle manufacturing had completely replaced
the knitting machine production. At about this time, the name NSU (from Neckar and Sulm) appeared as brand name. The first NSU
motorcycle appeared in 1901, followed by the first NSU car in 1905. In 1932 the car
production in Heilbronn
was sold to Fiat. During World War II NSU designed and produced the famous
Kettenkrad, the NSU HK101, a half-tracked motorcycle with the engine of the
Opel Olympia. After the war, NSU restarted in a completely destroyed plant with
pre-war constructions like the Quick, OSL and Konsul motorbikes; furthermore,
the HK101 continued to be sold by NSU as an all-terrain vehicle in a civil
version. The first post-war construction was the NSU Fox in 1949, available in
a 2-stroke and a 4-stroke version. In 1953 the famous NSU Max followed, a 250
cc motorbike with a unique overhead camdrive with connecting rods. All these
new models had a very innovative monocoque frame of pressed steel and a central
rear suspension unit. Albert Roder, the genius chief engineer behind the
success story, made it possible that in 1955 NSU became the biggest motorcycle
producer in the world. NSU also holds 4 world records for speed: 1951, 1953,
1954 and 1955. In
1956 Wilhelm Herz started at the Bonneville Salt Flats,
Utah. Herz
was the first man to ride a motorcycle faster than 200 miles per hour, in
August 1956. Motorbike production continued until 1968. NSU's last production
motorcycle was the Quick 50. A
museum in Neckarsulm, the Deutsches Zweirad- und NSU-Museum, has many of NSU's
products on display. NSU had several successes in the Isle of Man TT races in
the 1950s. NSU holds 4 World records for speed: 1951, 1953, 1954 and 1955.
During the 1930s, and in the mid 1950s NSU was the largest motorcycle producer
of the world. The NSU Quickly was the most popular moped of its time. It was
produced between 1953 and 1966
in over 1.000.000 examples and still can be found today
all over the world as more than 60% were exported.
This is a very nice and very rare non
period photo that reflects a wonderful era of 1960s motorcycle history in a
wonderful way. This is your rare chance to own this photo, therefore it is
printed in a nice large format of ca. 8" x 12" (ca. 20 x 30 cm).
It makes it perfectly suitable for framing!
Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you
buy. For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!
(Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear on
photo, for ebay purposes only)
No copyright
expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our
archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well
protected in PVC clear files and board backed
envelopes.
We have
photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the
original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and
excellent quality.
After many decades
of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our
archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They
will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a
border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace,
restaurant, bar or club!
First come -
first served. And you can always contact us for your requests. Please ask any
questions before the auction ends.