Description
H&H Classic Auction @ National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
30th Oct, 2024 11:00
1961 Durkopp Diana TS Sport Mk2
No reserve
Registration No: 387 ALM
Frame No: 201048
MOT: Exempt
British registered from new
With original blue log book
Transferable registration number
Project scooter chassis
V5C for use on UK roads
Dürkoppwerke's history began in 1867 when Heinrich Dürkopp started making sewing machines out of the backroom of a clockmakers shop. In 1870 they moved to their own premises in Bielefeld adding shoe making machines. In 1885 the firm began making bicycles and ball bearings. By 1898 the firm began making cars and motorcycles including the famous Knipperdolling small car. However after WW1 the company was in debt and the automobile division was sold to Mercedes Benz. Durkopp continued to make cylindrical bearings including for tanks and weapons during WW2. After the war the company jettisoned its bearings business and returned to sewing machines, bicycles and motorcycles including scooters.
The Durkopp Diana scooter was launched in 1953 and was splashed across the headlines early in production when Miss Germany ‘won’ a Diana in 1954. It was extremely well built with sleek lines and was ahead of most of the competition with a powerful engine that produced 9. 5 HP and the headlight on the handlebars. The later 194cc 4 speed Sport model produced 12 HP and could reach speeds of 100 km/ h while the 171cc Sport TS version produced 10. 8 HP. Weighing in at 150kg (330 lbs) the Diana had remarkable luxurious build quality all over. The electrics were Bosch 12 volt electric start (with kick start as back up) and used a number of fuses in a car style fusebox. The foot gear change could be knocked into neutral regardless of which gear you were in (positive neutral). Hella lights were as standard all over (the rear lights are the same as used on the Messerschmidt KR bubble cars). The attention to detail is impressive with small details such as chromed aluminium and rubber strips on the side panel edging to protect the side panels where they meet the chassis, heel strips to protect the side panels against passenger shoes, wide foot boards for the pillion and 4 floor strips each side for the riders feet. The large Denfeld dual seat was impressively sprung with comfortable support for the pillion. The embellishers on the side panels are chrome over brass. Apart from keys for the ignition, seat and tool box there was a further ‘secret key’ hidden from view in the upper part inside the tool box.
A total of 24, 963 Dianas in all forms were produced before production ended in 1962. In Great Britain Diana Concessionaires based in Molesworth, Surrey offered a range of optional accessories and had a service centre in Hampton Wick, Surrey. Available in 1961 for the princely sum of £219 10s 9d, it was more expensive than the Lambretta TV175 Series 2 (£189 17s 6d), or the Vespa GS (£188 8s 3d). In 1961 a road test by Scooter News Mechanics summarised that ‘the Diana in any of its forms was one of the best scooters made today’.
Here we present a rare Mk2 TS Sport chassis with the fixed headlight. The original black paint is in very good condition and the chassis is virtually rust free. The original starter key is present as is the fuel tank. Despite not having an engine the scooter is fully road registered with modern V5C and the number plate is transferable. The full range of parts needed including engine are all available (except a seat) in Lot XX. Only for sale as the vendor can no longer use it due to his age.
