1962 NSU PRIMA V (FIVESTAR)

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 Henrich Stoll and Christian Schmidt. They first manufactured knitting machines, then produced bicycles in the new address in Neckarsulm, named after a nearby river.

“Neckarsulmer Fahrradwerke”s 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 with 79.3 to 244 cu.in. engines. 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 under the name of “Motosulm” in 1931. Adam Opel’s bicycle organization was purchased and the Quickly and Pony motor bicycles were introduced.

The most advanced NSU scooter, which was also manufactured in the United States, the Prima V was marketed alongside the Prima III from 1960 to 1962. The 9.5 bhp single-cylinder engine propelled it to 56 mph with two riders. The 1962 model in our Museum, with the rear seat removed, was very popular during the 1960s. The Prima V achieved total sales of 31,404 numbers.