1959 NSU Prima III KL Scooter, 150cc, Registration Number TR...

Estimate

£1,200 - £1,500

1959 NSU Prima III KL Scooter, 150cc, Registration Number TRV 840, Frame Number 2356912, Engine Number 3427244.
Sold with V5C and a large history file including cancelled buff logbooks and copies thereof, a large selection of manuals, brochures, and other information.
The German representative of 1950s European scooter mania, NSU was a motorcycle and automobile brand created in 1873 in Riedlingen Donau by two young technicians named Stoll and Schmidt. They first manufactured knitting machines, then produced bicycles in the new address in Neckarsulm, named after a nearby river. NSU bicycles quickly became popular and production shifted to motorcycles in 1901. The 1.5 bhp engine was imported from Zedel in Switzerland. In 1903, they designed their own engine and created their first two-speed planetary transmission before World War I. In 1904, they marketed six different models of motorcycles. NSU introduced its popular 3 bhp 61 cu.in. V-twin engine in 1905. The same year, they turned to manufacturing automobiles and light trucks. They produced vehicles for the army during World War I. In 1923, the 8/24 model automobile with an aluminum body was introduced, although the economic recession led the automobile department to be sold to FIAT in 1928.
NSU returned to manufacturing bicycles in 1931. Adam Opel’s bicycle organization was purchased and the Quickly and Pony motor bicycles were introduced. At the start of the 1950s scooter boom, NSU obtained a licence to manufacture the Lambretta scooter, which was marketed as the "Prima". The Prima III was produced from 1957 to 1962. The 9.5 bhp single-cylinder engine propelled it to 56 mph with two riders.
TRV was bought from auction by our vendor. It appears to be in very original and unmolested condition. It has subsequently been treated to a mechanical overhaul including a correct Bing carburettor, 10 thou over rebore with new old stock piston, and the coil and stator plate being rebuilt at considerable expense by specialist Readspeed.
This was in anticipation of an extended road trip which was unfortunately cancelled due to lockdown. The bike has not been used since, but should be a straightforward job to recommission and put into use.