ADLER
This German company was founded by Heinrich Kleyer in Frankfurt in 1886 as a bicycle factory.
Car manufacturing began in 1899 and continued until 1939 with a range of 25 models.
The first model fitted a single-cylinder 3.5 hp De Dion engine and a cardan transmission replaced the chain drive, a solution that the German manufacturer adopted at practically the same time as Louis Renault in France. In 1902 Adler began making its own multi-cylinder engines, though they were still imitations of the more famous De Dion units: the only difference was an automatic rotation speed controller. Edmund Rumpler, an engineer, joined the Adler staff in 1903. He would introduce important technical innovations like independent suspensions and, for the first time in Germany, an engine built in a single unit with the gearbox.
The first Adler cars with their power, strength and high precision mechanicals were raced with some success.
A new series of models was launched between 1906 and 1908: the 8/15 hp and the 11/18 hp, the so-called light fours, the 13/22 hp medium capacity and the 40/50 hp big capacity. Underlining the success of the German marque, Kaiser Wilhelm II had a special version of the 40/50 hp built as an official state car.
In 1913, Adler vehicles could be fitted, on request, with an electric lighting system and, a year later, the honeycomb radiator was introduced. After the break due to World War I, Adler production resumed with renewed commitment.
The Standard 6 with 6-cylinder in line engine, side valves and rear-wheel drive came out in 1928,
while the star of the European Motor Shows of 1931 was the Standard 8 which presented elegant coachwork designed by the famous architect Walter Gropius.
The Röhr-designed Trumpf 1.5 came in 1932. This had front-wheel drive, 4 cylinders-in-line with side valves and a steering-wheel fitted gear shift as was the fashion with American manufacturers. This was followed in 1936 by the 995 cc Trumpf Junior with load-bearing floorpan welded to the bodywork, independent suspension and front and rear hydraulic shock absorbers.
The sports versions of these models claimed numerous international records and class victories.
The outbreak of World War II marked the end of Adler’s car production. Trumpf models were built under licence by other manufacturers in the early post-war years, the last of them being shown at the Hanover Fair of 1948. The equally famous motorbikes remained in production until 1957, the year Adler closed down.
