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DKW NZ 350 — 1939

A motorcycle that has witnessed the wings of history. Used by the German army in Denmark, then abandoned and finally restored by a Swedish motorcycle collector.

Mathias Casserlund
Besiktningsman
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Rebecca R Bengtsson
Case manager
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"A pleasant motorcycle with an intriguing background. Upon visual inspection, taking into account its age and previous usage, we find no direct remarks."

COUNTDOWN
CURRENT BID
ENDED
70 000SEK
LOT NUMBER
LOCATION
16780
KARLSTAD
RESERVE PRICE
Reached
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Mathias Casserlund
Inspector
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Rebecca R Bengtsson
Case manager
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"A pleasant motorcycle with an intriguing background. Upon visual inspection, taking into account its age and previous usage, we find no direct remarks."

Description

During the 1920s and 1930s, DKW was the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer. They had 12 factories and almost 15,000 employees. All thanks to the Dane Jörgen Rassmusen. He trained as an engineer in Germany and in 1904 started what would become DKW, and later Auto-Union, through a merger with the factories DKW, Audi, and Horch. When the National Socialists came to power in 1933, the German state took over Auto Union and Rassmusen was fired. In 1938, DKW presented its new motorcycle model NZ to the general public. It was available with both 250cc and 350cc engines. The 350cc model became popular with the German army/Wehrmacht reconnaissance department. The machines produced for the Wehrmacht had almost no changes compared to the civilian version and became known as "Das Motorrad der Kradmelder," the motorcycle of the motorcycle messenger.
This particular specimen arrived in Denmark with the German occupying forces and was used there during World War II. After the war, it remained in Denmark where it was found in a barn. Eventually, it ended up with a Swedish owner. In 1985, the motorcycle was registered in Sweden.
Since 1996, it has been in the same family. It was bought then by the late Alf Nordqvist, who was active in the Hammarö MC Veterans and used the DKW at vintage motorcycle rallies. After Alf's passing, there have been several changes of ownership within the family, where nobody really had time to use it, so now the DKW is passed on to the next motorcycle enthusiast.
The DKW is registered as a 1939 model. We have checked the frame number and engine number against old factory lists published on https://dkw-nz.net/en. Frame number 582939 indicates the model year 1940 and engine number 995037 indicates the model year 1939/40. Both the engine and frame fall within the same range in the table, so we believe they are matching numbers. As a curiosity, a Jerry Can fuel can from 1943 is included.

Technical data

  • Year
    1939/1939 
  • Registration date
    1985-08-09 
  • Mileage
     
  • Kw / hp
    8 / 11 
  • Fuel Type
    Gasoline 
  • Transmission
    manual 
  • Interior finish
     
  • Colour
    Black 

Condition

  • Mechanical condition:

    Air-cooled, single-cylinder two-stroke engine with a displacement of 346cc, delivering a reported output of 11 hp. Hand and foot operated with 4 gears. Equipped with a 6-volt electrical system, with a new battery installed. The speedometer is of a later type.
    The tires have some dry cracks, please refer to the images. The front tire is US Royal and the rear tire is Dunlop Goldseal. We haven't been able to test ride the motorcycle. Prior to our visit, the owner was supposed to drain the fuel tank to refill it with fresh fuel. Unfortunately, the connection to the float chamber broke and couldn't be fixed in time. However, the owner guarantees that the engine starts and runs smoothly.
    A replacement float cover is included. Please see the image.

  • Interior condition:

    Nice bean pallet of later production. The driver's leather saddle has cracks but could potentially be the original one.

  • Exterior condition:

    A handsome motorcycle that underwent a careful restoration in the 1990s. The paintwork is in usable condition. The front fender has at some point hit the frame head when the suspension bottomed out. The dent appears to have an older, period-appropriate repair. It can be improved upon, but at the same time, it's a part of the bike's history. Please see the image.

  • General condition:

    A genuine vintage motorcycle that doesn't appear to have been modified or altered in any way. It's in good working condition and has been used at vintage motorcycle gatherings.

MOT (tech. insp.)

Fordonsstatus: Itrafik 2024-03-13
Ursprungsbesiktning: 1985-08-09 (regbes)
Datum i trafik första gången: 1985-08-09
Senast godkända besiktning: -
Besiktigad tom: -
Skattebefriad: Ja
Körförbud: Nej
Antal ägare: 5

Facts about the model

The new NZ series of motorcycles was announced with two new models, a 250cc and a 350cc, in the DKW dealers bulletin in March 1938. And the first NZs leaves the factory in November 1938.

The new NZ series was the result of years of long technical research and innovations in the DKW's research centre. New revolutionary pressed-steel mainframe - Zentralkastenrahmen, more beautiful engine block, four speed gearbox, new starter mechanism, are the main characteristic features of this new civil motorcycle. The mainframe itself was a masterpiece of engineering, made from two pressed steel sheets which were electrically welded together. Unfortunately the welding process used so much electricity, that the welding could only be done at night, when the electrical consumption of the other parts of town were lower. Initially it was planned to supply the NZ with a rear suspension. Extensive tests were made and a suspension was chosen which was already patented by the Italian manufacturer Benelli. When it became clear that royalties had to be paid to Benelli, the rear suspension had to be omitted for costing reasons. Nevertheless about 1100 NZ's were supplied with Benelli rear suspension, but were only supplied to the government organisation NSKK. The NZ 350 was adopted for army service and became the "middle-class 350 cc motorcycle" in the Wehrmacht's catalogue. The machine soon became known as "Das Motorrad der Kradmelder" - the dispatch rider's motorcycle. Many civil NZs were confiscated and repainted for the Wehrmacht. All NZs produced for the Wehrmacht had a WaA stamp at the level of the steering head. Read more at https://dkw-nz.net/en

Location and viewing Information

Location: Karlstad

For viewing the vehicle, contact the inspector/case manager:

Mathias Casserlund
mathias.casserlund@bilwebauctions.se

Pick up

Collection must take place before: 2024-04-25.

NOTE! Payment (deposit to our account) must be made within 5 days and before collection.

Auction information

General information about the condition of the vehicles .
  • At this auction, many vehicles have been included in car collections and have been stored (mothballed) for a long time. For this reason, they are described from a collector's perspective and may need technical reviews and maintenance service - oil, battery replacement, new tires, brake review, etc. - before they can be used. .
  • During the auction days information about a vehicle may be updated up to the day before the auction ends. When you bid at the end of the auction period - and also if you have made an earlier bid - we therefore ask you to read the descriptions carefully, in case something has been changed due to new information.
Important to know before placing your bids!
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  • When you need to retrieve a called in object we want you to examine it carefully. If you consider that the item does not match our description you do not need to complete the purchase. In this case the deposited purchase sum and the entry fee are refunded.
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