Kondor Fahrradwerke
Kondor Fahrradwerke AG | |
---|---|
legal form | Corporation |
founding | 1890s |
resolution | 1902 |
Seat | Brandenburg an der Havel , Germany |
Branch | Bicycle manufacturer , automobile manufacturer |
The Condor bicycle works AG (formerly AL Liepe & Breest ) was a German bike - and car manufacturers , which in Brandenburg was located.
Company history
Initially, the company manufactured bicycles. A sales crisis towards the end of the 19th century led to the plan to start automobile production in 1899. The first models appeared in June 1900. The vehicles received a medal of merit at the General Motor Vehicle Exhibition in Nuremberg that same month, and a gold medal and a prize of honor at the General Exhibition for People's Welfare in Leipzig later that year. 40 vehicles had been built by the end of the year. However, the cost was higher than the profit, so no dividend could be paid. In 1901 the range was expanded and motor boats were also offered. Sales fell short of expectations due to excessively high prices, and losses increased. On December 21, 1901, the general assembly resolved to dissolve the company. In 1902 the company was liquidated. The loss was 983,111 marks.
vehicles
Small cars were on offer . A single-cylinder engine , which probably came from the Fafnir works , was mounted in the rear and initially developed 3.5 hp . A special feature was a friction gear . The maximum speed was given as 30 km / h. There was a choice of four different body shapes for either two, three or four people. The prices were between 4,000 and 4,200 marks.
In 1901 a model with a more powerful engine with 4.5 hp was added to the range. 40 km / h could be achieved. The prices were between 4,100 and 4,550 marks, depending on the engine and structure. For comparison: the similar Adler 3.5 hp cost only 3850 marks.
Long-distance trips
R. Jäger took second place with a two-seater among seven participants in class 2 (small cars up to 4 hp) on the long-distance journey from Berlin to Aachen , which took place from August 30 to September 2, 1900. In class 3 (touring cars up to 9 hp) it was only enough for a four-seater to place fourth, as the competition was more powerful.
literature
- Harald H. Linz, Halwart Schrader : The International Automobile Encyclopedia . United Soft Media Verlag, Munich 2008, ISBN 978-3-8032-9876-8 , chapter Condor.
- Gerhard Maerz: The short life of the Brandenburg condor. In: Automobil- und Motorrad-Chronik , issue 11/1975, pp. 14–15.
- Ulrich Kubisch : German car brands from A – Z. VF Verlagsgesellschaft, Mainz 1993, ISBN 3-926917-09-1 .
- Mario Steinbrink: "VFV-Info" 3/2012 "112 years of automobile manufacturing in Brandenburg / Havel"
Web links
- GTÜ Society for Technical Monitoring mbH (accessed on March 28, 2015)
- Allcarindex (accessed March 28, 2015)