Beschreibung
H&H Classic Auction @ National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
15th Nov, 2023 11:00
1961 Maico Mobil MB 200
Extremely original with provenance
Estimate
£12, 000 - £14, 000
Registration No: 689 CLY
Frame No: 299498
Engine No: 149494
CC: 197
MOT: Exempt
Rare British registered from new with complete history
With copy of buff log book
Believed only one of a handful in the UK
The later 200cc 4-geared version regarded by some as the ultimate scooter
V5C for use on UK roads
Maico was founded in 1926 as a bicycle manufacturer by Ulrich Maisch in Ammerbuch, Southern Germany. In 1936 the company began producing lightweight motorcycles using bought in engines. At the end of World War 2 Maico built their own range of single and twin-cylinder 2-stroke motorcycles and these were followed in 1950 by the Maico Mobil. Known and marketed as ‘the car on 2 wheels’ from the outset this unique machine was certainly a scooter and ahead of its time. Powered by a 148cc 2-stroke fan-cooled engine, and 3-speed twist grip gears but it had large 14-inch wheels. It had aluminium bodywork and a full-size windscreen that provided maximum weather protection and luggage carrying capacity for both rider and passenger. In 1954 the engine capacity was increased to 173cc, then finally a larger 197cc with generated an impressive for the time 11hp. The bodywork remained largely the same throughout the Mobil’s production span, but the larger 197cc incorporated a 4-speed gearbox controlled by a motorcycle-style foot pedal shifter. It was said to cruise very happily at over 50mph. The offset wheels similar to the Vespa allowed for quick wheel change and the spare wheel was incorporated into the rear design of the machine. The front suspension was a telescopic fork, while at the rear a comfortable ride for both the pilot and passenger was provided by a set of twin shocks along and a sprung rubber Pagusa seat.
Here we present what could be the finest original example in the UK or almost anywhere. First registered in 1961 by the famous scooter dealer Claude Rye in London it was sold new to a Thomas Horner of East Yorkshire on the 13th of July 1961. These were equipped with luxurious features and were very expensive machines compared to other scooters at the time and we are almost certain that this would have been manufactured in 1958 as the last reported date of manufacture, and remained at the dealers until the buyer was found. Our vendor has owned it for over 30 years and was the third owner.
Standing in almost completely original Black paint this magnificent beast of a machine has travelled less than 10, 000 miles in its lifetime. There was some reported paint repair on the front fender but it is hard to notice at all and blends in very well. The MPH speedometer with its gear indicator telling you which gear you are in is all in perfect working order. All of the parts throughout the scooter are present as original and unmodified including the seats and the Continental and Goodrich tyres. The only additions that we could see are the removable ‘plug in’ period indicators and the addition of a bespoke rear rack that aids moving the scooter onto its stand and a period accessory mirror. We were able to see the scooter in running condition with the aid of an auxiliary fuel supply but the tank looks super clean inside and should be perfectly usable as it is. Our vendor does not keep fuel in any of his scooters. It started first kick and purred superbly as can be seen on the accompanying video.
The scooter is also offered with its original buff logbook, an original and rare user’s handbook in English, a copy of the full instruction book in English, an original parts handbook in German, a number of old MOTs and tax discs and a Maico key ring.
This is a very real and rare opportunity to own this extremely sought-after machine with its space-age looks and great touring reputation and we expect significant interest in it.
