Adler Classic Cars for Sale

In 1880, engineer Heinrich Kleyer (1853-1932) began manufacturing bicycles in Frankfurt under his own name, having been inspired by watching a cycling race while visiting the United States.

By 1889, Kleyer's bicycle factory (Germany's first) employed 600 people, manufacturing bicycles, tricycle carts and voiturette-cars. The company soon expanded to become a joint stock company, adopting the name 'Adler' meaning 'eagle'. During 1898, Adler became the first German company to begin factory production of typewriters, which would prove to be another of its signature products.

Adler Motorcycles

Adler's first motorcycles were produced in 1901 and were equipped with De Dion engines. However, motorcycle production ceased around 1907 as the company started to produce larger, heavier and more luxurious vehicles. Motorcycle manufacturing did not resume again until after World War II when the company was forced to reinvent itself, its manufacturing base having been almost completely destroyed during hostilities.

Adler's Motorcycle Golden Age (1949-57)

In 1949, Adler began manufacturing small motorcycles for every day use, incorporating innovative features such as dual-tube technology and telescopic suspension systems. Adler's initial 100cc model was followed by 125cc and 150cc designs during the early 1950s, which earned the company an enviable reputation for reliability combined with cutting-edge technology.

However, it is Adler's more powerful motorcycles which are most admired, in particular the MB-200 and MB-250, considered to be the ultimate Adler motorcycle on account of its plunger-type saddle suspension and the smoothness of its engine design. Unfortunately these models did not sell as well as expected in America, where larger, noisier, more conventional motorcycles were considered to be more appealing.

Around 1956, Adler also manufactured a small 100-cc 2-stroke motor bike/scooter hybrid, but failed to capitalise on the European fashion for smaller motorcycles.

In spite of considerable critical acclaim, Adler motorcycles struggled to compete for market share and the company eventually merged with Triumph in 1956, only to be taken over by Grundig the following year. Grundig closed down Adler's motorcycle manufacturing arm but retained its typewriter production facilities.

Meanwhile, Adler motorcycle designs were widely copied by rival manufacturers all over the world, most notably in Britain and Japan.

Today, Adler's motorcycle designs are still revered, with enthusiasts devoting large quantities of time and money to restoring their machines to pristine condition.