LOT 88

c.1956 NSU 247cc Sportmax Racing Motorcycle Registration no. unregistered Frame no. S.MAX045 to applied plaque Engine no. S.MAX045 to applied plaque

Sold for €12,650 inc. premium

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Lot 88

c.1956 NSU 247cc Sportmax Racing Motorcycle

Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris|6 February 2025, 13:00 CET|Paris, The Grand Palais Historique

c.1956 NSU 247cc Sportmax Racing Motorcycle
Registration no. unregistered
Frame no. S.MAX045 to applied plaque
Engine no. S.MAX045 to applied plaque

At the end of the 1954 season, NSU announced that a racing version of the Max roadster – the Sportmax – would be offered to privateers. From the start of 1955 the Sportmax was simply the fastest over-the-counter 250-class racer on the market. As well as providing works-supported Hermann Müller with the 1955 250cc World Championship, the Sportmax was one of the most competitive lightweights of any kind available to the privateer, and in the right hands proved capable of respectable showings in national events well into the 1960s. Other prominent Sportmax-mounted stars included John Surtees, Sammy Miller, Pierre Monneret and Mike Hailwood. The history of this machine is unknown. No Documents.

As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.

Footnotes

NSU Sportmax 247 cc – Moto de course – circa 1956
Non immatriculée
Cadre n° S.MAX045 (numéro sur plaque rapportée)
Moteur ° S.MAX045 (numéro sur plaque rapportée)

A la fin de la saison 1954, NSU annonça qu'une version course de la Max de tourisme – la Sportmax – serait proposée aux écuries privées. Au début de l'année 1955, la Sportmax était tout simplement la 250 de course la plus rapide qui fût disponible sur le marché. Tout en ayant valu en 1955 à Hermann Müller, qui bénéficiait du soutien de l'usine, le titre du Champion du monde des 250 cc, la Sportmax était l'une des motos légères les plus concurrentielles accessibles aux écuries privées ; confiée à des mains expertes, elle se révéla jusque dans les années 1960 capable de démonstrations dignes de respect lors de manifestations nationales. On citera parmi les pilotes-stars l'ayant chevauchée John Surtees, Sammy Miller, Pierre Monneret et Mike Hailwood. L'historique de cette moto est inconnu. Pas de documents disponibles.

De même que tous les lots de cette vente, ce lot est vendu "en l'état et à l'endroit où il se trouve" et les enchérisseurs doivent en vérifier la provenance, l'état, l'âge, la complétude et l'authenticité avant d'enchérir.

Saleroom notices

The frame is additionally stamped 20007. Le cadre est en outre estampillé 20007.

Additional information

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