Zundapp Bella
The 1950s were the heyday of scooters. Although the European economy was on the rise after tough war years, cars were far from being owned by everyone. Most people's personal finances were still too weak for that. However, the need for transportation was great, and cheap means of transportation for two people were in demand. The scooter became the solution for many, and Zundapp Bella R204 was one of these little charmers that helped to solve precisely the need for transportation.
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Piaggio in many ways set the standard for the scooter concept after the war, and the “Wasp” from Italy became the very symbol of the scooter. However, Vespa was not alone in this solution, and most self-respecting motorcycle manufacturers jumped on the bandwagon. Jawa offered Cezeta , Innocenti became known for its Lambretta , NSU offered its “Prima” and here at home, Øglænd sold its model under the name Tempo Progress.
Zundapp Bella
Zundapp factory in Germany was among the leading European motorcycle manufacturers after the war, and in 1953 they launched their scooter model under the name “Bella”. Zundapp ’s motorcycle sales were now declining and they focused on scooter production in the hope of boosting sales of two-wheelers. The design of the Bella was strongly inspired by the Italian scooter Parilla, but compared to the classic Vespa it was larger in every way, which also applied to the engine. The first vintage was equipped with a 150cc single-cylinder 2-stroke.
200 cc
From 1954, customers could choose whether they also wanted it delivered with a 200-cc engine. Later models received a 12-volt system and could then be delivered with an electric start as an “option”. The Bella became a popular scooter and was produced in a total of 130,000 copies in the period 1953-1964, and it was actually Zundapp's biggest sales success in the company's history. Like so many other scooter manufacturers, however, Zundapp experienced a decline in popularity throughout the 1960s. This is best explained by the fact that the car was now becoming more accessible to most people, which was after all a more suitable means of transport for families with children.
Technical data Zundapp Bella R204, 1959 model:
Engine: 1-cylinder 2-stroke
Displacement: 198 cc
Power: 12.5 hp at 5200 rpm.
No. of gears: 4
Electrical system: 12 volts
Start: electric start and kick
Front/rear tires: 3.50 x 12
Weight: 146 kg
Top speed: 121 km/h
