Hercules Classic Cars for Sale

The German company Hercules also produced motorcycles at times. The first machine was built in 1905.

History of Hercules

The German company Hercules was founded in 1886 in Nuremberg by Carl Marschütz (1863-1957) and was initially dedicated to the manufacture of bicycles. Their high quality soon won them the favour of their customers. After the great success of the bicycles, Marschütz also started to produce motorcycles. The first attempt was made by Hercules in 1904 with a prototype that had a Belgian FN engine and produced 4.5 hp. Between 1905 and 1907, the first Hercules motorcycles were mass-produced. However, as sales were still too low, there was a prolonged break in production, which lasted until 1928. In this year the tax and driving licence obligation for motorcycles under 200 cm³ were omitted in Germany. After the National Socialists seized power in 1933, however, the Jew Carl Marschütz had to give up his Hercules works and emigrate to the USA. The Nazis brought the company under their control. During the Second World War, the Hercules factories were bombed several times by the Allies and destroyed to a large extent. After the end of the war, the Americans dismantled the remaining machines and tools. In 1946 Hercules made a new start with the production of bicycles. Three years later the production of motorcycles followed. The Dresdner Bank now acted as the new plant owner. In 1956, the Grundig Group temporarily took over the company, which two years later changed hands again and passed to Fichtel & Sachs AG. However, the integration into the Sachs Group remained a secret, as competitors also used F & S engines. When F & S also became owner of the Zweirad-Union in 1965, its former factory in Nuremberg was used to manufacture mopeds. Later it served as the headquarters of the Hercules works. Abroad, the names DKW or Sachs were also used for the Hercules vehicles.

Further development of Hercules

In the 50s and 70s, Hercules was very successful as a manufacturer of light motorcycles in the Federal Republic of Germany. The model range included 50 cm³ mopeds, mokicks with two seats and light motorcycles in the 100 to 125 cm³ class. The manufacturing principle of Hercules was based on only a few basic models. In 1987, the Fichtel & Sachs Group was sold to Mannesmann AG. In 1996, the Hercules brand and the bicycle division were transferred to the ATAG Cycle Group from the Netherlands. This also meant the end of motorcycle manufacturing in Nuremberg.

Classic Hercules models

One of Hercules' motorcycle classics was the Hercules K100, which was created in the 1950s. It was a light motorcycle with a 110 cm³ Sachs engine. The model made an important contribution to the further development of the company. A special motorcycle was the Hercules E1. This model, built between 1973 and 1977, was a motorbike with an electric drive that was ideal for city driving.