NSU Motorenwerke AG,orNSU,was a German manufacturer of automobiles, motorcycles and pedal cycles, founded in 1873. Acquired byVolkswagen Groupin 1969, VW merged NSU withAuto Union,creatingAudiNSU Auto Union AG, ultimately Audi. The NSU name came from the city it was based in,Neckarsulm,contracted to three letters.[1]
NSU | |
Industry | Automotive |
Predecessor | D-Rad |
Founded | 1873 |
Founder | Christian Schmidt |
Defunct | 1969 1977 |
Fate | Acquired byVolkswagen,merged withAuto Unionto createAudi,production of high-end Audis |
Successor | Audi |
Headquarters | , Germany |
Products | Knitting machines,automobiles,motorcycles,mopedsandscooters |
History
editOrigin
editNSU originated as the "Mechanische Werkstätte zur Herstellung von Strickmaschinen",[2]aknitting machinemanufacturer established in 1873 by Christian Schmidt, a technically astute entrepreneur, in the town ofRiedlingenon theDanube.[3]The business relocated in 1880 toNeckarsulm.[3]There followed a period of rapid growth and in 1886, the company began to producebicycles,the first of them a 'high wheeler' or 'Penny-farthing' branded as the "Germania".[4]By 1892, bicycle manufacturing had completely replaced knitting machine production. At about this time, the name NSU appeared as a brand name.
The first NSU motorcycle appeared in 1901,[5]followed by the first NSU car in 1905. DuringWorld War Ithe company produced motorcycles and trucks for theGerman Army.
In 1932, under pressure from their bank (Dresdner Bank), NSU recognised the failure of their attempt to break into volume automobile production, and their recently built car factory in Heilbronn was sold toFiat,[6]who used the plant to assemble Fiat models for the German market. From 1957, NSU-Fiat cars assumed the brand nameNeckar.
DuringWorld War IINSU produced theKettenkrad,the NSU HK101, ahalf-trackedmotorcycle with the engine of theOpel Olympia.They also made the 251 OSL motorcycle during the war.[7]
After WW II
editIn December 1946,Das Autoreported the company had resumed the manufacture of bicycles and motor-bicycles atNeckarsulm.[8]For Germany, this was a time of new beginnings, and in July 1946, a new board was appointed, headed by General Director Walter Egon Niegtsch, who earlier in his career had spent 17 years withOpel.[8]
NSU motorbike production restarted, in a completely destroyed plant, with prewar designs like the Quick, OSL, and Konsul motorbikes; furthermore, the HK101 continued to be sold by NSU as an all-terrain vehicle in a civilian version. The first postwar model was the NSU Fox in 1949, available in2-strokeand4-strokeversions. In 1953, the NSU Max followed, a 250 cc motorbike with a unique overhead camdrive driven by reciprocating rods. All these new models had an innovative monocoque frame of pressed steel and a central rear suspension unit.Albert Roder,the chief engineer behind the success story, made it possible that in 1955, NSU became the biggestmotorcycleproducer in the world. NSU also holds four worldrecordsfor speed: 1951, 1953, 1954, and 1955. In August 1956, Wilhelm Herz at theBonneville Salt Flats,Utah,became the first man to ride a motorcycle faster than 200 mph (322 km/h).
In 1957, NSU re-entered the car market with the newPrinz(Prince), a small car with a doubled NSU Max engine, anair-cooledtwo-cylinder engine of 600 cc (37 cu in) and 20 hp (15 kW). Motorbike production continued until 1968. NSU's last production motorcycle was theQuick 50.[9][10]
In 1964, NSU offered the world's firstWankel enginedcar: theWankelspider.In development of the project, NSU built theSport Prinz,with a 129 hp (96 kW) 995 cc (60.7 cu in) 2-rotor.[11]In the same year Prinz 1000 and derivatives like the TT and TT/S followed. The Typ 110 (later called 1200SC) was launched in 1965 as a family car with a more spacious body design. The last NSU cars with a conventional four-stroke engine had the air-cooledOHCfour-cylinder engine in common. The car was marketed in the U.K. as "NSU TYP 110", andKarobes,a major supplier of car accessories, provided a head rest specially for this car: "A new one which can be fitted without a screw, and may be adjusted forwards and backwards."[12]
Also in 1964, NSU partnered withCitroënto develop theWankel enginevia theComotorsubsidiary, which resulted in the abortive 1973Citroën GS Birotorproduction car.
In 1967, the four-doorNSU Ro 80,with a 115 hp (86 kW) version of the same 2-rotor,[11]was presented to the public. Weighing 1,200 kg (2,600 lb), it had aCdof 0.36,disc brakes,independent suspension,and front wheel drive byFichtel & SachsSaxomaticthree-speedtransmission.[11]It soon gained several design awards such as "car of the year 1967", while drivers liked its performance.[11]Virtually all the world's major motor manufacturers purchased licenses from NSU to develop and produce the rotary-piston engine, with the notable exception ofBMW.[13]
Despite its public acclaim, sales of the Ro 80 were disappointing. The transmission drew complaints and the engine suffered numerous failures even at low mileage.[11]Competitor automakers, apart fromMazda,held back from taking a lead in developing and marketing the Wankel technology, and anticipated income associated with those royalty deals failed to materialize.
Volkswagen Group takeover
editThe development of the rotary engine was very cost-intensive for the small company. Problems with the apex seals of the engine rotor significantly damaged the brand's reputation amongst consumers. In 1969, the company was taken over byVolkswagenwerk AG,which merged NSU withAuto Union,the owners of the Audi brand which Volkswagen had acquired five years earlier. The new company was called Audi NSU Auto Union AG and represented the effective end of the NSU marque with all future production to bear the Audi badge (although retaining the four interlocking circles of Auto Union). The management of the new combine was initially based at the Neckarsulm plant, however when the small rear-engined NSU models (Prinz 4, 1000, 1200) were phased out in 1973, the Ro 80 was the last car still in production carrying the NSU badge. Audi never made use of the brand name NSU again after April 1977, when the last Ro 80 was sold.[11]In 1985, the company name was shortened toAudi AGand management moved back to Audi's headquarters inIngolstadt.
Even as production of the Ro 80 continued in the Neckarsulm plant, production of larger Audi models like100and200was started. ThePorsche 924and laterPorsche 944were also assembled at Neckarsulm. Those models were joint venture projects ofPorscheandVW,but Porsche did not have the internal capacity to build the 924 and 944. Currently, Neckarsulm is the production plant for Audi's topline vehicles likeA6,A8,andR8.It is also the home of the "Aluminium- und Leichtbauzentrum" where Audi's aluminium-made space frame bodies are designed and engineered.
NSU is primarily remembered today as the first licensee and one of only four automobile companies to produce cars for sale with rotary-piston "Wankel engines".NSU invented the principle of the modern Wankel engine with an inner rotor. TheNSU Ro 80was the second mass-produced two-rotor Wankel-powered vehicle after theMazda Cosmo.In 1967, NSU andCitroënset up a common company,Comotor,to build engines for Citroën and other car makers.Nortonmade motorcycles using Wankel engines. AvtoVaz (Lada) manufactured single and twin rotored Wankel powered cars in the early 1980s. OnlyMazdahas continued developing the Wankel engine and made several more cars with theWankel engine. NSU developed their last car in a recognisably conventional layout, (front engine front wheel drive, water cooled) - this was the NSU K70, Volkswagen adopted this as their first water cooled front-engined car the VW K70. The first VW Golf cars used the NSU K70 engine which was almost identical. Subsequent VW models shared no lineage with NSU models, being descended from Auto-Union designs.
Lawn mower engine
editIn the early 1970s, NSU manufactured a vertical-crankshaftsmall enginefor use as alawn mowerpower unit.[14]
NSU Museum
editA museum in Neckarsulm, theDeutsches Zweirad- und NSU-Museum,has many of NSU's products on display.
Notable riders
editMike Hailwoodraced in 1958 onDucati,NSU,MV Agusta,Norton,Triumph,Patonand in 1958 was 4th in the world championship 250cc (NSU) 5.John Surtees[15]entered in the 1955 season. That year, he gained his first podiums on a Norton in 350cc in Germany andUlster.He also won the round in 250cc while riding the best lap in the race for his only appearance at the handlebars of a NSU. John Surtees remains the only champion of the world in both motorcycle racing andFormula 1.
pilots:
- Hermann Paul Müller(born inBielefeld,21 November 1909 – died inIngolstadt,30 December 1975) was a German sidecar, motorcycle, and race car driver.
- Hans Baltisberger(born 16 September 1924 – 26 August 1956 ) was a German professional Grand Prix motorcycle road racer.
- Florian Camathias(23 March 1924 – 10 October 1965) was a Swiss professional Grand Prix motorcycle and sidecar racer
- Louis Meznarie(14 January 1930) is a former French engine preparation expert and a team owner entrant to24 Hours of Le Mans.
- Rupert Hollaus(4 September 1931 inTraisen– 11 September 1954) was an Austrian Grand Prix motorcycle road racer who competed for the NSU factory racing team.
- Rudi Thalhammer(born 1 February 1935) was a former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer from Austria.
- Georg Braun(born 2 September 1918 inHechingen,Province of Hohenzollern) was a German Grand Prix motorcycle road racer.
- Helmut Hallmeier(1933 – 26 June 1976) was a former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer from the Germany.
- Geoff Duke(St Helens,Lancashire,29 March 1923 – Man, 1 May 2015) was a motorcycle racer from England.
- Bill Lomas(1928–2007) was an English former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer.
- Reg Armstrong(1 September 1928 – November 1979) was an Irish professional Grand Prix motorcycle road racer.
- Umberto Masetti(4 May 1926 – 28 May 2006) was an Italian two-time World Champion Grand Prix motorcycle road racer.
- Sammy Miller,MBE (born 11 November 1933 inBelfast,Northern Ireland) is a championship winning motorcycle racer, in both road racing and trials. He was awarded an MBE in the 2009 New Year Honours
- Tommy Robb,(born 14 October 1934) is a former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer from Northern Ireland.
- Bob Brown,(9 May 1930 inSydney– 23 July 1960 at Solituderennen) was an Australian professional Grand Prix motorcycle road racer.
- Arthur Wheeler,(5 August 1916 – 16 June 2001) was an English professional Grand Prix motorcycle road racer.
- Horst Kassnerwas a former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer from Germany.
NSU cars
editNSU- (and NSU-Pipe-) Cars 1905–1918
editThe first NSU cars were the single cylinder 3-wheeled Sulmobil, first produced in 1905. At the same time NSU produced the NSU-Pipe 34 PS and NSU-Pipe 50 PS under licence from the Belgian firm ofPipe.Two further Pipe models were to follow, and a range of NSU-specific 3- and 4-wheeled models.
NSU-Cars (licensed from Pipe) 1905–1910 Source:[16]: 320–321
Type | Motor (all FourStroke) | Engine size in cm3 | max. Power inPS | At engine speed (rpm) | Years | Picture |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NSU-Pipe 34 PS | 4-Cylinder | 3768 | 34 | – | 1905–1906 | – |
NSU-Pipe 50 PS | 4-Cylinder | 8290 | 50 | – | 1905–1906 | – |
NSU-Pipe 15/24 PS | 4-Cylinder | 3768 | 24 | 1650 | 1906–1910 | – |
NSU-Pipe 25/40 PS | 6-Cylinder | 6494 | 40 | 1100 | 1908–1909 | – |
NSU-Cars 1905–1918 Source:[16]: 322–338
Type | Motor (all FourStroke) | Engine size in cm3 | max. Power in PS | At engine speed (rpm) | Years | Picture |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NSU SulmobilTyp II/IV | 1-Cylinder | 451 | 3,5 | – | 1905–1909 | – |
NSU Sulmobil Typ III | 2-Cylinder | 795 | 5,5 | – | 1909 | – |
NSU 6/8 PS | 1-Cylinder | 451 | 8 | – | 1906 | – |
NSU 6/10 PS | 4-Cylinder | 1420 | 12 | 1650 | 1906–1907 | –[17] |
NSU 6/12 PS | 4-Cylinder | 1540 | 13 | 1500 | 1907–1909 | – |
NSU 6/14 PS | 4-Cylinder | 1560 | 14 | 1650 | 1910–1911 | – |
NSU 6/18 PS | 4-Cylinder | 1560 | 18 | 1800 | 1911–1914 | – |
NSU 10/20 PS | 4-Cylinder | 2608 | 20 | 1400 | 1907–1910 | –[18] |
NSU 10/22 PS | 4-Cylinder | 2608 | 22 | 1400 | 1910–1911 | – |
NSU 10/30 PS | 4-Cylinder | 2608 | 30 | 1600 | 1911–1916 | –[19] |
NSU 5/10 PS | 2-Cylinder | 1105 | 10 | 1400 | 1910 | – |
NSU 5/11 PS | 2-Cylinder | 1105 | 11 | 1400 | 1911–1913 | – |
NSU 5/10 PS | 4-Cylinder | 1132 | 10 | 1600 | 1910–1911 | – |
NSU 5/11 PS | 4-Cylinder | 1132 | 11 | 1600 | 1911–1913 | – |
NSU 8/15 PS | 4-Cylinder | 1750 | 16 | 1500 | 1907–1910 | – |
NSU 9/18 PS | 4-Cylinder | 2208 | 18 | 1400 | 1910–1911 | – |
NSU 9/22 PS | 4-Cylinder | 2208 | 22 | 1400 | 1911–1912 | – |
NSU 9/27 PS | 4-Cylinder | 2208 | 27 | 1400 | 1911–1912 | – |
NSU 8/24 PS | 4-Cylinder | 2110 | 24 | 1800 | 1911–1918 | –[20] |
NSU 13/40 PS | 4-Cylinder | 3397–3768 | 40 | 1800 | 1911–1912 | – |
NSU 13/35 PS | 4-Cylinder | 3397 | 35–40 | 1700 | 1912–1914 | – |
NSU 5/12 PS | 4-Cylinder | 1132 | 12 | 1600 | 1913–1914 | – |
NSU 5/15 PS | 4-Cylinder | 1232 | 15 | 1800 | 1914–1918 | -[21] |
NSU 1¼-Tonner | 4-Cylinder | 3397 | 35 | 1800 | 1914–1918 | – |
NSU 2½-Tonner | 4-Cylinder | 3380 | 42 | 1700 | 1914–1926 | –[22] |
NSU Cars 1919–1931
editSource:[16]: 332–344
Type | Motor (all FourStroke) | Engine size in cm3 | max. Power in PS | At engine speed (rpm) | Years | Picture |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NSU 8/24 PS | 4-Cylinder | 2110 | 30 | 2100 | 1921–1925 | – |
NSU 14/40 PS | 4-Cylinder | 3606 | 54 | 2000 | 1921–1925 | – |
NSU 5/15 PS | 4-Cylinder | 1231 | 21 | 2100 | 1921–1925 | – |
NSU 8/32 PS Lieferwagen (Delivery truck) | 4-Cylinder | 2088 | 32 | 2200 | 1925–1927 | – |
NSU 5/25 PS | 4-Cylinder | 1307 | 25 | 2900 | 1925–1928 | – |
NSU 8/40 PS | 4-Cylinder | 2088 | 40 | 2800 | 1925–1927 | – |
NSU 5/15 PS (Kompressor-Rennwagen) (Supercharger race car) | 4-Cylinder | 1232 | 40–50 | 4000 | 1923–1925 | – |
NSU 6/60 PS (Kompressor-Rennwagen) (Supercharger race car) | 6-Cylinder | 1482 | 60 | 3800 | 1925–1926 | – |
NSU 6/30 PS | 6-Cylinder | 1567 | 30 | 3000 | 1928 | – |
NSU 7/34 PS | 6-Cylinder | 1781 | 34 | 3200 | 1928–1931 | – |
NSU Car Models Post War
editNSU produced the following postwar cars:
- Prinz I, II & IIII, II, 30 and III (1957–1962)
- Sport Prinz(1959–1967)
- Prinz 4,4 L (240 cu in) (1961–1972)
- Prinz 1000,NSU 1000 (1964–1972)
- NSU 1000 TT,NSU TT, NSU TTS (1965–1972)
- NSU Typ 110(1965–1967)
- NSU 1200(1967–1972)
- NSU Spider(1964–1967)
- NSU Ro 80(1967–1977)
- NSU K70, produced after VW/Audi takeover as theVolkswagen K70(1970–1975)
Licence-built models made abroad
editTheNSU Prinzwas also built in Yugoslavia (by PRETIS), Argentina (by Autoar) and Egypt, under licence.
In Uruguay, thePrinz 4was built by Nordex S.A., and a new model, the P6, combined the engine and mechanics of the NSU model with a separate body completely redesigned by Carlos Sotomayor. From 1970, the P10 was built as the successor model to the NSU P6. This had the larger engine of the NSU Prince 1000 and a 21 cm extended wheelbase.
NSU motorcycles and scooters
edit-
NSU 3 PS (2.96 hp; 2.21 kW) 1911
-
NSU 1913
-
NSU Fox (1952)
-
NSU Lux (1952)
-
NSU Rennfox G.P. 125 cc (7.6 cu in) O.H.C. TWIN (1954)
-
NSU Rennmax G.P. 250 cc (15 cu in) O.H.C. TWIN (1954)
-
NSU Superlux 250 cc (15 cu in) T/SSINGLE(1955)
-
NSU Sportmax G.P. 250 cc (15 cu in) O.H.C. SINGLE (1956)
-
Sidecar(Germany, 2002)
-
NSU 1000
-
NSU 500
-
NSU 2000
-
NSU Prima III scooter
-
1957 NSU Prima inDeutsches Zweirad- und NSU-Museum
The first "Neckarsulmer Motorrad" motorcycle was produced in 1901, using a Swiss1+3⁄4hp(1.8PS;1.3kW)Zedelsingle-cylinder AIV (automatic inlet valve) motor with battery/coil ignition, clamped at the underside of a heavy-duty bicycle frame (of NSU manufacture), with the crankcase slightly below and in front of the pedal crank. Specialized racing motorcycles were campaigned from 1905 in events in Europe, the UK, and USA. In 1907, British manager Martin Geiger rode an NSU in the inaugural Isle of Man TT, placing fifth.[23]NSU had several successes in theIsle of ManTT racesin the 1950s. In 1908, an NSU v-twin took part in the Ormonde-Daytona beach speed record races for cars and motorcycles, ridden by Eugene Gaestral, who returned with an improved machine the following year.
During the 1930s, and in the mid-1950s, NSU was the largest motorcycle producer of the world, in its peak year (1955) producing 350,000 machines.[24]NSU holds four world records for speed: 1951, 1953, 1954 and 1955. In 1956, NSU brought a team of six motorcycles of different engine capacities to Bonneville, Utah, to set World Land Speed Records. They had success in all categories, and most notably raised the absolute motorcycle speed record to 211 mph, withWilhelm Herzpiloting theDelphin III,a fully streamlined motorcycle with a 500cc supercharged DOHC twin-cylinder Rennsport engine.[25]This machine still exists, in theAudi MuseuminStuttgart,Germany.
TheNSU Quicklywas the most popularmopedof its time.[citation needed]It was produced between 1953 and 1966 in over 1,000,000 examples and still can be found today all over the world as more than 60% were exported.
NSU bicycles
editBicycle production began in 1900 and continued into the early 1960s.[26]
NSU military vehicles
editNSU was the principal maker of theKettenkradhalftracked motorcycle (1940–1949) The Sd.Kfz. 2 was designed and built by NSU Motorenwerke AG in Neckarsulm, Germany. Designed and patented in June 1939, it was used for the first time during the invasion of theSoviet UnionOperation Barbarossain 1941.
See also
editReferences
editNotes
edit- ^"Die NSU-Firmengeschichte".Retrieved1 January2016.
- ^"Die NSU-Firmengeschichte – zweirad-museum.de".www.zweirad-museum.de.Retrieved5 April2018.
- ^abDeutsche Autos, Band 4, 2001,p. 392.
- ^"Technische website NSU motor – Hans Homburg – The production of the first NSU bicycle in 1886".www.nsu4.nl.Retrieved5 April2018.
- ^Ric Anderson (21 August 2009)."1956 NSU Supermax".Motorcycle Classics (Premier Issue).Retrieved24 August2009.
- ^Rudolf Augstein(proprietor & managing editor) (5 September 1956)."Scheidung von Fiats Tochter".SPIEGEL-ONLINE. p. 39.Retrieved18 May2013.
{{cite web}}
:|author=
has generic name (help) - ^Lepage, Jean-Denis G. G. (2007). "Cars and Motorcycles".German Military Vehicles of World War II: An Illustrated Guide to Cars, Trucks, Half-Tracks, Motorcycles, Amphibious Vehicles and Others.Jefferson, NC USA: McFarland. pp. 76–78.ISBN978-0-7864-2898-4.LCCN2007002638.Retrieved23 May2014.
- ^ab"Aktuelles aus aller Welt".Auto Motor u. Sport.Heft 13 1996: Seite 23. December 1946.
- ^"NSU Quickly Spares Gallery".Nsuquicklyspares.co.uk. Archived fromthe originalon 2 May 2010.Retrieved2 October2010.
- ^"Fredy's NSU Page:Quick 50".Nsu-cars.ch. Archived fromthe originalon 7 July 2011.Retrieved2 October2010.
- ^abcdefLyons, Pete. "10 Best Ahead-of-Their-Time Machines", inCar and Driver,1/88, p.78.
- ^Dudley Noble:A New and Larger NSU Model.Financial TimesLondon, 26 February 1966.
- ^"In voller Blüte. In den sechziger Jahren...".Auto Motor u. Sport.Heft 13 1996: Seite 76–83. 14 June 1996.
- ^"Now You Can 'Mow' with a Wankel!"Popular Science,July 1973 p. 18
- ^"1955 NSU SPORTMAX – RS 251".www.classicdriver.com.Retrieved5 April2018.
- ^abcSchneider 2012,pp. as cited.
- ^NSU 6/10 hp automobile, 1906 at audi.comAccessed 2 January 2017Archived3 January 2017 at theWayback Machine
- ^NSU 10/20 hp automobile, 1908 at audi.comAccessed 2 January 2017Archived3 January 2017 at theWayback Machine
- ^NSU 10/30 hp automobile, 1911 at audi.comAccessed 2 January 2017Archived3 January 2017 at theWayback Machine
- ^NSU 8/24 hp automobile, 1912 at audi.comAccessed 2 January 2017Archived3 January 2017 at theWayback Machine
- ^NSU 5/15 hp automobile, 1914 at audi.comAccessed 2 January 2017Archived3 January 2017 at theWayback Machine
- ^NSU 2.5 tonne truck, 1914 at audi.comAccessed 2 January 2017Archived21 December 2016 at theWayback Machine
- ^Williams, Greg (January–February 2013)."1954 NSU Max TT: The Odd Man Out".Motorcycle Classics.Retrieved28 March2013.
- ^Schneider 2012.
- ^"The Vintagent".thevintagent.blogspot.com.Retrieved5 April2018.
- ^"1951 NSU Ladies Tourenrad Model 55".Online Vintage Bicycle Museum. 25 February 2010.Retrieved5 June2011.
Bibliography
edit- Arth, Klaus; Thum, Stephan (2001).NSU-Motorräder 1945-1964: Besser fahren auf NSU[NSU Motorcycles 1945-1964: Ride better on an NSU] (in German). Lemgo, Germany: Johann Kleine Vennekate.ISBN3935517009.
- ————— (2008).NSU-Motorräder 1900-1945: greif zu - fahr NSU[NSU Motorcycles 1900-1945: Grab - Drive NSU] (in German). Lemgo, Germany: Johann Kleine Vennekate.ISBN9783935517379.
- ————— (2015).NSU-Automobile: Typen, Technik, Modelle[NSU Automobiles: Types, Technology, Models]. Edition Audi Tradition (in German) (2nd ed.). Bielefeld, Germany: Delius Klasing.ISBN9783667103499.
- ————— (2016).NSU: Alle Automobile von 1905 bis 1977[NSU: All Automobiles from 1905 to 1977]. Typenkunde Classic (in German). Bielefeld, Germany: Delius Klasing.ISBN9783667106902.
- Bruse, Volker (2006).NSU Prospekte 1873–1930: Fahrräder, Motorräder und Autos in Werbeanzeigen, Prospekten und Katalogen[NSU Brochures 1873–1930: Bicycles, Motorcycles and Cars in Advertisements, Brochures and Catalogues]. Lemgo, Germany: Johann Kleine Vennekate Verlag.ISBN393551722X.
- ——————; Storz, Alexander Franco (2010).NSU Fotoalbum 1906–1977: Auto[NSU Photo Album 1906–1977: Car]. Motorrad - Auto series, no. 11 (in German). Lemgo, Germany: Johann Kleine Vennekate Verlag.ISBN9783935517539.
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- Hertweck, Carl (1954).Besser fahren auf NSU: Handbuch für Fahrer von NSU-Maschinen[Drive Better with an NSU: Manual for Drivers of NSU Machines] (in German) (3rd ed.). Bielefeld, Berlin, Stuttgart: Klasing.OCLC73447929.
- Herz, Dieter; Reese, Karl (1987).Die NSU-Renngeschichte 1904-1956[The NSU Racing History1904-1956] (2nd ed.). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag.ISBN3879437971.
- Mareike Hieber, Susanne Jauch, Ralph Plagmann, Gerhard Schwinghammer:100 Jahre Automobilbau Neckarsulm.Hrsg.: AUDI AG – Kommunikation Standort Neckarsulm, date: 09/2006.
- Peter Kirchberg, Thomas Erdmann, Ralph Plagmann:Das Rad der Zeit – Die Geschichte der AUDI AG.3. Auflage, date: 8/00, Hrsg.: AUDI AG Ingolstadt, Verlag Delius Klasing, Bielefeld 2000,ISBN3-7688-1011-9.
- Lintelmann, Reinhard (1987).NSU Personenwagen: Eine Chronik[NSU Passenger Vehicles: A Chronicle]. Markenreihe series (in German). Brilon, Germany: Podszun Verlag.ISBN3923448368.
- Oswald, Werner[in German](2001).Deutsche Autos[German Cars] (in German). Vol. Band [Volume] 4: 1945–1990 Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche und andere [and others]. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag.ISBN3613021315.
- Rossnagel, Heiko; Griffel, Lydia (2018).Besser fahren auf NSU: Karikaturen von Rudolf Griffel[Drive Better with an NSU: Caricatures by Rudolf Griffel]. Edition Audi Tradition (in German). Bielefeld, Germany: Delius Klasing.ISBN9783667110671.
- Schneider, Peter (1988).NSU 1873-1984: Vom Hochrad zum Automobil – Geschichte, Typen und Modelle[NSU 1873-1984: From Penny-Farthing to Automobile – History, Types and Models] (in German) (2nd ed.). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag.ISBN3613010860.
- ———————— (2000).NSU im Bild: Motorräder seit 1900[NSU in Pictures: Motorcycles since 1900] (in German). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag.ISBN3613020637.
- ———————— (2007).NSU: Motorräder 1900–1966[NSU: Motorcycles 1900–1966]. Typenkompass series (in German). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag.ISBN9783613026285.
- ———————— (2008).NSU: Automobile 1905–1977[NSU: Automobile 1905–1977]. Typenkompass series (in German). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag.ISBN9783613028678.
- ———————— (2011).NSU Autos und Motorräder 1900–1977[NSU Cars and Motorcycles 1900–1977]. Schrader-Motor-Chronik series (in German) (2nd ed.). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag.ISBN9783613032774.
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- Steidl, Franz-Georg (2009).NSU Personenwagen: Eine Chronik[NSU Passenger Vehicles: A Chronicle]. Markenreihe series (in German). Brilon, Germany: Podszun Verlag.ISBN9783861334422.
- Walker, Mick (2009).NSU: The Complete Story.Crowood AutoClassic Series. Ramsbury, Marlborough, UK: The Crowood Press.ISBN9781847971487.
- Ward, Rod (2015).Auto Union: Audi, Horch, Wanderer, DKW, Framo (and NSU).Auto Review series, no. 112. Leeds, UK: Zeteo Publishing.OCLC919299525.