Description
Maicomobil MB 175 of 1956 - The two-wheeler - One of only 6, 000 MB 175s built - Carefully restored by a well-known scooter collector - Still in near-new condition The first roller creations north of the Alps took place in the early 1950s and were mostly small and weak-hearted. But already in 1950 Maico presented the antithesis. The Maicomobil MB 151 was more of a road cruiser than a two-wheeler, looking more like a spaceship than a scooter. There was a lot of the M 150 motorbike hidden under the luxurious light metal full fairing. "The 'two-wheeler' was intended to protect the rider from wind and weather from above, below, the sides and the front. Eight and a half horsepower was good for over 80 km/ h and the road holding was also phenomenal. In 1952 the power of the 175 cm3 model was increased to around 9 bhp, the transmission was fitted with a fourth gear and the gearbox was now pedal-operated. In 1954 the cubature was increased to 200 cc with just under 11 hp. Although the Maicomobil cost almost as much as a Beetle, the sales figures were impressive. Up to 1956 as many as 9, 000 units were built, the last of which was in Spain because assembly of the cars began in Pfäffingen. With the Maicoletta there was a successor in 1955, which was again more of a scooter than a spaceship. Today there is nothing like the Maicomobil any more. This Maicomobil MB 175 is one of the few with the sought-after four-speed gearbox delivered new to Italy. From there it found itself in the hands of one of the world's most respected scooter collectors, who restored the Maicomobile uncompromisingly, but never allowed it to be used on the road. It was later sold to a microcar collector and from there entered a collection of 130 motorbikes in the mountains behind Bergamo. It was driven very little but the engine ran regularly so the 25, 000 kilometres on the speedometer are the original ones. The Maicomobile runs as accurate as a stapler and still looks as if it has just left the factory. What's more, and this is a unique feature, it is duly registered in Italy and serviced, has the ASI Targa ORO and can therefore be admired on everyday roads.- The two-wheeler - One of only 6, 000 MB 175s built - Carefully restored by a well-known scooter collector - Still in near-new condition today
