NSU Motorenwerke AG (normally just NSU) was a German manufacturer of cars and motorcycles and a predecessor to what is now Audi.NSU began as a knitting machine manufacturer, established in the town of Neckarsulm in 1884 as the Neckarsulmer Strickmaschinenfabrik (Neckarsulm Knitting Machine Factory). 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 first letters in Naeh- und Strick Union, meaning sewing and knitting union) appeared as brand name.
In the early years of the 20th century NSU motorcycles were developed, in 1905 the first NSU cars appeared. In 1932 the car production in Heilbronn was sold to Fiat.
During World War II NSU designed and produced the famous Kettenkrad, 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. And also still the HK101 could be purchased at NSU as a 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 250cc 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 of the world. NSU also holds 4 World records for speed: 1951, 1953, 1954 and 1955. In 1957 NSU re-entered the car - market with the new NSU Prinz , a small car with a doubled NSU Max engine, an air cooled two cylinder engine of 600 cc and 20 hp. Motorbike production continued until 1968.
In the early years of the 20th century NSU motorcycles were developed, in 1905 the first NSU cars appeared. In 1932 the car production in Heilbronn was sold to Fiat.
During World War II NSU designed and produced the famous Kettenkrad, 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. And also still the HK101 could be purchased at NSU as a 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 250cc 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 of the world. NSU also holds 4 World records for speed: 1951, 1953, 1954 and 1955. In 1957 NSU re-entered the car - market with the new NSU Prinz , a small car with a doubled NSU Max engine, an air cooled two cylinder engine of 600 cc and 20 hp. Motorbike production continued until 1968.
No comments:
Post a Comment