LOT 25 1953 NORDAP-VELMO FAHRRAD-MOTOR (32CC) ON NSU BICYCLE

‘FLYING TEA-PLATE’

“On the German IFMA show of 1951, the Velmo-Motoren GMbH from Hamburg showed their hub engine, it was a complete engine, including fuel tank integrated in the front wheel hub. According to Manfred Nabinger, writer of a book on German cycle engines, it is assumed that the series production of this engine started one year later by the Nordap Kraftfahrzeuge GmbH in Ladeburg am Neckar. Difference to the model showed on the IFMA were another name, “Nordap”, and the fact that the fuel tank was now mounted outside the wheel hub. First as cylinder shaped tank in front of the steering head, later as a kind of saddle over the front wheel. The only difference between the Nordap and the Velmo appears to be the name on the wheel cover. In Germany they were sold as Nordap, abroad as Velmo.”

Of the dozens of cyclemotors made in England, France and Germany after WW2, the Nordap-Velmo Fahrrad-Motor is undoubtedly the most exotic. Its nickname at the time translates as the ‘flying tea plate.’

Though the Winged Wheel and the Cyclemaster were fitted into the rear wheel, this is built into the front wheel, and its elegant construction inside a neat engine housing was a superb feat of engineering.

Despite an advertising campaign with a fraulein in shorts and sandals happily mounted on her Velmo, it was not popular with the public, so was only in production for a few years. A number of factors affected sales. It was expensive to make, so was not a budget option compared with other well-made German cyclemotors such as the Rex. Obviously the front wheel is heavier than normal, so female riders would have found it heavy to steer compared to a bicycle.

The fact that it is a ‘white elephant’ adds to its cult status and limited production means that they are rare today. This 1953  model, with the curious petrol tank ‘folded’ over the front mudguard, is the most sought-after.

View at The Online Bicycle Museum