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The Hercules W-2000 was the first rotary powered motorcycle offered for sale to the public through a dealer network. The W-2000, introduced at the German Ifma Show in 1970, was labeled as a full production model but in reality it was a test to see if the public would accept a rotary powered motorcycle. Full […]
Hercules W-2000 – 1975 Read More »
Fuji Heavy Industries created Japan’s first scooter, the Rabbit S-1, in 1946. The S-1 was heavily based on U.S. servicemen’s Powell scooters and was on the market a full six months before the introduction of the Vespa. Japan, like Europe, was ravaged by WWII and needed cheap economical transportation. In 1957, the Rabbit Superflow was
Fuji Rabbit Scooter – 1968 Read More »
In 1923, the first BMW motorcycle was produced; in 1949, the first post-war bike appeared and demand for motorcycles was high. With the r51/3 model, BMW turned their attention to the engine. This engine remained, on the whole, unchanged until 1969, retaining the tried and tested boxer layout. It was universally accepted as being one
This 2004 BMWr1100s can trace its roots back to the beginning of BMW motorcycles–the 1923 boxer twin called the r32. That motorcycle was admired for its speed and excellent handling due to the cylinder placement which keeps the weight very low in the motorcycle. The museum’s 1952 BMWr51/3 represents BMW’s first 30 years’ evolution of
BMW Motorad Boxer Cup Replika R1100S – 2004 Read More »
The name “BFG” came from the company’s founders: Louis Boccardo, Dominique Favario, and Thierry Grange. The initial design work was done in 1978 in response to a call for entries to design a motor bike around an automobile engine. The first bike was completed in 1981 and production began in 1982. The majority of the
The Boy Mechanic (published in 1925) offered hundreds of detailed drawings of things a boy could build. One chapter was titled “Building a Wind Wagon.” It is unknown how many were built but this one was constructed in the late 1920s by 15-year-old Ted Jameson (Uncle of racer, author, and commentator Sam Posey). The angle-iron
Ben F. Gregory was an advocate of front wheel drive. Gregory made cars on and off for a span of 42 years. His first cars were built around 1920, and it was not until 26 years later, following World War II, that Gregory returned to designing cars. The prototype example you see here is
Gregory Sedan – 1947 Read More »
One year after the introduction of the Fiat 600, another version was introduced–possibly the first minivan–the Multipla (which means “all service”). This vehicle had three rows of seats for a total capacity of six people, the two rear pairs of seats could be folded into the floor, leaving a large flat loading area. Due to
Fiat 600 Multipla – 1963 Read More »
During the German occupation of France in World War II, gasoline was scarce, expensive, and often unavailable. Several companies offered systems for a vehicle to be powered by alternative fuels such as wood, coal, or charcoal. This car has been converted by Fap Elgazo Tarbes to run on coal. Adaptions were necessary to alter the
Citroën Berline 11 Gazogene – 1938 Read More »