Founded by Heinrich Stoll
and Christian Schmidt to manufacture knitting
machines. Took the name NSU from the first letters
in the names of the rivers surrounding the plant
in which they operated, Neckar and Sulm. Following
the increasing popularity of bicycles, devoted
an ever increasing amount of production to their
manufacture, first with the high wheelers, then
to more modern, ballbearing equipped examples. Progressed to the motorcycle and, in 1905, developed
their first car. Within a few years were manufacturing
a variety of different vehicles, from small
taxi-cabs to trucks and all in-between.
Manufactured
both cars and motorcycles for the Wehrmacht
during World War 1, after the war turning their
attention to racing, gaining several Grand Prix
victories. In 1923 developed the all-aluminium
8/24, but soon encountered financial difficulty
and was sold to Fiat. Built 3
prototype Beetles
for Ferdinand Porsche prior to World War 2.
Continued to manufacture motorcycles after the
war, then designed the 3 wheel Max Kabine, but
this would gain a more traditional 4th wheel
prior to entering production as the Prinz. Built
the first Wankel motor in 1960 and a small Corvair
styled Prinz 4 in 1963. Sold to the VW/Audi
concern in 1969, the name discontinued in 1984.
Also see:
NSU Car Reviews
