NSU Motorenwerke AG or just NSU, was a motorcycle and automobile manufacturer which was located in Riedlingen, Germany. They were one of the earliest companies to mass produce motorcycles with production starting in 1901. They were often well designed, quality machines. N.S.U was invincible in Word Championship road racing in the early 1950s. By 1970, they were absorbed into the V.W. empire.

1957 NSU Supermax

History

NSU which was founded in 1873 and moved to Neckarsulm, Germany in 1884. NSU was acquired by Volkswagen Group in 1969. VW merged the company with Auto Union, to eventually evolve into Audi as it is known today.

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. Two wheel production stopped in 1965 and NSU merged with VW in 1969.

Models

 
1931 NSU 500SS
 
1901 NSU
 
1953 NSU Rennmax


 
1954 NSU Sportmax
 
1957 NSU Supermax

501 TS

 
1930 N.S.U. 501 TS

This was a typical touring model.

Supermax

 
1961 NSU Supermax

A very advanced design by NSU with unique "Ultramax" valve operation using eccentrics and two connecting rods. Racing versions, the Sportsmax, were very successful, winning the 250cc world road-racing title in 1955. In just over a decade NSU had sold over a hundred thousand Max-based models. The Max was an expensive machine, priced level with the British 650 twins, but the quality was superb.

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