German Motorrad

German Motorrad - Obscure Marques

Motorräder Hergestellt in Deutschland: Notes on some of obscure German marques

This page lists brands of which little is known.
For a more complete listing visit the German Index.

A

Amex

According to a Dutch post, after the takeover of Moto Morini by Cagiva, Fritz Alexander continued to build Morini's under the name Rebello.

This may have been Fritz Alexander from Neustadt am Rübenberg, but there is little information available. Another post mentions that Fritz Alexander took care of sales for Cagiva in Germany.

Sources: winni-scheibe.com, et al.


Ansbach

Lastendreiräder (cargo tricycle) with the type name "Express" possibly built by Ansbach.

Ansbach built automobiles between c.1910 and 1916, with the aid of the German firm Faun, a company well known for its trucks and buses. In 1916 Faun took control of the Ansbach factory and began manufacturing its own automobiles under the Faun brand. The factory was taken over by DKW around 1928.

Sources:
Automobilia 85-45
Autopasion18.com


Arminia 1925-1931

The marque is mentioned in Nürnberger Motorradindustrie: Eine Chronik aller Firman, and is apparently related to Sept & Unger.


B

Bajuware

Apparently a bicycle wholesaler, Völker und Kölbel from Regensburg (1928-1935), and after the war Karl Kölbel KG.

Source: Farben-Schiessl


Bechtold logo

Bechtold

Bicycles were manufactured by Xaver Bechtold Fahrrädertweil-Bühlingen from 1926

In 1945 they built bicycles under the brands "Refax" and "Bechtold".

They appear to have built at least one motorcycle model in the 1950s or 60s.

Source: Farben-Schiessl.


Bernhardt

Based in Berlin they built Lastendreiräder (cargo tricycles) in from 1925 to 1926.

Source: Automobilia 85-45


Bully

Based in Berlin, the company built Lastendreiräder (cargo tricycles) 1933 to 1934. There is some doubt about this.

Source: Automobilia 85-45


BZ
Manufactured by Bootswerft Zeppelinhafen of Potsdam, 1923-1924, this was a cyclecar typical of the era with a very square body, long running boards and four narrow wire spoked wheels, distinguished only by its aluminium body. It was powered by the 500cc BMW boxer twin.
Sources: Oldtimerclub Lachendorf, et al


D

Diagon

A Dutch post indicates that this brand was built in 1923 with a backbone frame incorporating the petrol tank. No evidence has been found to date for verifcation.

In one of the much loved books, Rubeus Hagrid and Harry Potter travel to Diagon Alley on a motorcycle.


Diana

Constructed three-wheeled vehicles in Munichs from 1922 to 1923.

Source: Automobilia 85-45


Dromos

Leipzig firm manufactured Lastendreiräder (cargo tricycles) of the "Kavalier" type in small numbers from 1933 to 1934. They also built bicycles and trailers.

Source: Automobilia 85-45


E

Eamh 1927-29 - No record found.

Econlfe 1923-25 - No record found.

Econvans-Ponsdorf 1924-25 - No record found.

H

Horten

Horten was a distributor who probably rebranded mopeds in the 1960s and 70s.

Models included Eurospeed - Standex

Source: Farben-Schiessl


I

Induhag

Düsseldorf manufacturer of a small three-wheeled small car powered by an electric motor in the years around 1921 to 1924.

Source: Automobilia 85-45


L

Lenz

Manufactured Lastendreiräder (cargo tricycles) in 1926.

Source: Automobilia 85-45


Liwaba

Based in Hamburg, the Lieferwagen-Bau-Ges cargo tricycles were built from 1930 to 1931.

Source: Automobilia 85-45


Luther & Heyer

The Berlin company, which has been active in the motor vehicle industry since 1924, produced Lastendreiräder (cargo tricycles) from 1933 to 1939 in three engine sizes.

Source: Automobilia 85-45


M

Maschinen- und Motorenbau-Gesellschaft

The Berlin firm manufactured Lastendreiräder (cargo tricycles) named "Transportette" in 1926.

Source: Automobilia 85-45


Matthes

Manufactured Lastendreiräder (cargo tricycles) in Ulm from 1931 to 1932.

Source: Automobilia 85-45


N

N.H.S.

Manufactured 1923-28. Noted as being fitted with Paque engines.


Nordhusia

Nordhausen firm manufactured three-wheelers for the disabled from 1926 to 1927.

Source: Automobilia 85-45


O

Ostner

Lastendreiräder (cargo tricycles) manufactured in Brand-Erbisdorf from 1932 (or perhaps earlier) until 1941. Post-war, Ostner was persectuted by the Soviets and fled to West Germany, abandoning his business.

Source: Automobilia 85-45


P

Petri & Lehr

Manufactured in Dietzenbach, these were three-wheelers for disabled people produced from about 1935 to 1943.

Source: Automobilia 85-45


Pug

Three-wheeled mini car manufactured 1923 to 1925

Source: Automobilia 85-45


Privileg

Models

DeLuxe 25 (70-72)
DeLuxe 40 (71/72)
Standard 25 (70/71)
Gazelle (72-77)

Source: Farben-Schiessl.


R

Riebe

Also known as RAG, the Berlin firm manufactured Lastendreiräder (cargo tricycles) from 1921 to 1923.

Source: Automobilia 85-45


S

Schminke

Models
Orion (1953-54)
Mentor(53-55)
Forelle(56)
Forelle Touren
Forelle Sport

Source: Farben-Schiessl


Schwabenthan

Cargo tricycles manufactured in Berlin from 1922 or 1925 to 1926.

Source: Automobilia 85-45


Stürmer

Adolf Zeuner & Sons, a bicycle wholesaler from Schweinfurt, sold Stürmer mopeds which were identical to the Vaterland

Source: Farben-Schiessl.


Rarer German Marques