Flight of the Bumblebee
Europeans have long understood that even inexpensive necessities should reflect a sense of style, and nowhere is that more apparent than in personal transportation. Most German motorcyclists of the late ’50s and early ’60s with 995 deutschmarks to spend—about $1,650 in current greenbacks—desired an eye-catching ride with a distinct style.
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Underneath, the Hummel was all practicality. A 49cc two-stroke single and four-speed transmission sent five small horses to the rear wheel via an enclosed chain. With a little help from a following wind, it might have attained 50 mph.
Owner Stewart Ingram reports that his Hummel (shown here) offers a rather strange riding experience, in part due to the leading-arm front suspension and oversized front fender. But it is, he says, soft-riding and the fan-cooled engine is remarkably quiet.
Sadly, the Hummel—dubbed "Tin Banana" by owners—was not a success for DKW, which retreated from the motorcycle business at the end of the 1950s. Production was taken over for a time by Victoria/Fichtel & Sachs, which sold DKW-branded bikes into 1970s. By then, however, the futuristic Bumblebee had long since buzzed into the past.
