Registration No: 172 NHA
Frame No: 126371
MOT: Exempt

• British registered from new with complete history
• With original buff logbook
• Super provenance file
• The rare 194cc 4-geared Mk1 Sport version
• V5C for use on UK roads
• Transferable registration number

Dürkoppwerke's history began in 1867 when Heinrich Dürkopp started making sewing machines out of the backroom of a clockmaker 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 WWI the company was in debt and the automobile division was sold to Mercedes-Benz. Durkopp continued to make cylindrical bearings including those for tanks and weapons during WWII. 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 9.5hp 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 10.8hp. Weighing in at 150kg (330 lbs) a whopping 30kg heavier than the Lambretta Series 2 of the time, the Diana had remarkable luxurious build quality all over. The electrics were Bosch 12v electric start (with kick start as back up) and used a number of fuses in a car-style fusebox. The foot gearchange could be knocked into neutral regardless of which gear you were in (positive neutral). Hella lights were 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 footboards for the pillion and 4 floor strips each side for the rider's 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 very rare matching numbers Mk1 Sport with the headlight mounted on the handlebars. It was acquired by our vendor 55 years ago in 1969 and he is only the second owner. It was restored in 1970. We are informed by the vendor that it was in full running condition when parked up. Everything is original and it also has the optional side stand. The mileage is currently 21,504 and genuine as backed up by a large number of MOTs going back to 1969. The impressive history file also has the original purchase receipt when our vendor bought it for £13 and 10 Shillings. The original buff logbook is present giving us full history from new. The scooter is fully road-registered with modern V5C and the number plate is believed to be transferable.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Diamond
info@vintagescooters.co.uk
07768 313001