NV Machine-, Rijwiel- en Automobielfabriek Simplex

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Simplex Automatic Machine Company (1887–1899)
NV Machine-, Rijwiel- en Automobielfabriek Simplex (1899–1965)
legal form NV
founding 1887
resolution 1965
Reason for dissolution Takeover by Gazelle
Seat Amsterdam , Netherlands
Branch Automobile manufacturer

Bicycle from Simplex
Motorbike from 1919

NV Machine-, Rijwiel- en Automobielfabriek Simplex , previously Simplex Automatic Machine Company , was a Dutch company. Other sources name the company NV Maatschappij Simplex .

Company history

The company was founded in 1887. Initially, chocolate and cigarette machines were created. In 1892 the production of bicycles began . In 1897 the company was the largest Dutch bicycle manufacturer. Development of automobiles began in 1898 and production of automobiles in 1899. The brand name was Simplex . In 1899, under the management of Mr. Leeuwenberg, the company was renamed NV Machine-, Rijwiel- en Automobielfabriek Simplex , based in Amsterdam . The company presented three copies in 1899, four in 1900 and two in 1902 at the Dutch automobile shows. In 1902 motorcycle production began. At times, rail vehicles were also created. Automobile production ended for the time being in 1916. After the end of the First World War , the focus was on bicycle production. The plant produced a few automobiles until 1921. A total of around 200 to 250 automobiles were built. Motorcycle production ended in 1940. In 1951, the merger with Locomotief , another Dutch bicycle manufacturer, followed. Gazelle took over the company in 1965 and dropped the Simplex brand name in 1968.

vehicles

Automobiles

Initially, three-wheeled tricycles were created. The first four-wheeled model had a rear engine and the body shape vis-à-vis . It was similar to the Benz . A delivery van was also built on this basis . In 1900, 24 chassis with a two-cylinder engine developed in -house were sold to the Dutch East Indies , which received their bodies on site. 1902 was a model with a built-in motor of vivinus at an exhibition. In 1902 a single-cylinder model with a front engine appeared , which - as for future series models - was supplied by Fafnir . In 1906 a two-seat Voiturette with a two-cylinder engine from Fafnir was added. The two-cylinder model 8 HK and the four-cylinder model 14/16 HK followed in 1907 . In 1912 the 25 HK was added. In 1913 the four-cylinder model 35 HK was created as a one-off for Wilhelmus Marinus van Rossum , which was delivered to Rome in 1914. In 1913 the small car 10 HK followed with a Fafnir engine with a displacement of 1093 cm³ . The engine drove the rear wheels via a two-speed gearbox and a cardan shaft . The round radiator grille was striking .

In 1919 the tricycle 10 HK with a V2 engine from MAG was presented, but it no longer went into series production. The few single pieces that followed now also had MAG motors.

motorcycles

The 1902 models had Minerva engines . Later, some models had engines with 300 cm³ and 500 cm³ displacement, which were also suitable for side cars .

Draisines

Simplex draisine

Rail vehicles were also made. It was known for the motor-driven railroad trolleys for four people, of which there are still preserved examples in the narrow-gauge railway museum on Lake Valkenburg .

literature

  • Harald H. Linz, Halwart Schrader : The International Automobile Encyclopedia . United Soft Media Verlag, Munich 2008, ISBN 978-3-8032-9876-8 , chapter Simplex (I).
  • Harald H. Linz, Halwart Schrader: The great automobile encyclopedia. BLV, Munich 1986, ISBN 3-405-12974-5 .
  • Martin Wallast: Old Dutchman: Simplex from Amsterdam. In: Automobil- und Motorrad-Chronik , issue 4/1978, pp. 12-13.
  • George Nick Georgano (Editor-in-Chief): The Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile. Volume 3: P – Z. Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers, Chicago 2001, ISBN 1-57958-293-1 , pp. 1456-1457. (English)
  • George Nick Georgano: Cars. Encyclopédie complète. 1885 à nos jours. Courtille, Paris 1975, pp. 567-568. (French)

Web links

Commons : Simplex  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Martin Wallast: Age Dutch: Simplex from Amsterdam. In: Automobil- und Motorrad-Chronik , issue 4/1978, pp. 12-13.
  2. ↑ George Nick Georgano (Editor-in-Chief): The Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile. Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers, Chicago 2001, ISBN 1-57958-293-1 , pp. 1456-1457. (English)
  3. ↑ Harald H. Linz, Halwart Schrader : The International Automobile Encyclopedia . United Soft Media Verlag, Munich 2008, ISBN 978-3-8032-9876-8 , chapter Simplex (I).
  4. ↑ George Nick Georgano: Cars. Encyclopédie complète. 1885 à nos jours. Courtille, Paris 1975, pp. 567-568. (French)