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The History of Adler
The German word for Eagle
ADLER (Germany) 1900-1940.
Adler built cars with de Dion-Bouton engines and from 1902 its own four-cylinder engines. Driven by Erwin and Otto Kleyer sons of Heinrich Kleyer, founder of Adler, and by Alfred Theves (founder of the ATE piston-ring works), these cars won many sporting events.
Popular models of the 1920s, were 2298cc, 1550cc and 4700cc four-cylinder and 2580cc six- cylinder cars. Gropius and Neuss coachwork was seen on many models, built between 1927 and 1934. They had 2916cc six- cylinder and 3887cc eight-cylinder engines. The front-wheel- drive Trumpf models of the 1930s with 995cc (Trumpf Junior), 1494cc and 1645cc four-cylinder engines, gained many successes in races, including the Le Mans 24 hours.
Among rear-driven Adler cars were the 1943cc "Favorit", the 2916cc six-cylinder "Diplomat" and the 1910cc four-cylinder and 2494cc six-cylinder models with partially streamlined bodywork built until the Second World War.
After World War II a decision was made not to resume automobile construction. Motorcycle production resumed in 1949 and continued for 8 years leading to the production of the MB 250S. Increasingly, Adler focused on the manufacture of office equipment. The company associated with Triumph to form Triumph-Adler, and was taken over by Grundig in 1957, later by Olivetti.
