Who doesn't know the "Berlin" scooter? But what is the story?
By the beginning of the 1950s, there was a clamor for mobility in the GDR. Buying a car - if even possible - was unaffordable for most. A motorcycle was not very comfortable and gave the rider little protection from dirt and rain. A scooter, similar to the Italian "Vespa" or "Lambretta" was perceived as an acceptable low-cost option.
A number of Saxon enterprises developed prototypes, such as the "Falz" I to IV or the "Hexe" which drew the attention of the trade press after they were exhibited at the Leipzig trade fair. However, the planned economy did not approve these for series production. In the mid 1950s, the Ministry of General Mechanical Engineering finally commissioned the industrial works Ludwigsfelde (IWL) to develop and produce a scooter due to the increasing demand from the population.
The production of the first IWL scooter named 'Pitty' started on 1st February 1955.
The Pitty was a 'city scooter', intended for short-distance use, and was powered by a fan-cooled motor from the RT 125-1 motorcycle (5 HP). The driving characteristics, in particular the suspension and acceleration, were rather poor. The Pitty was in production up to April 1956, and a total of 11,293 pieces were made with only minor changes to the design. Series production of a development of the Pitty began in May 1956 and was given the model name "SR 56" (for city scooters 1956) and the nickname 'Wiesel.'
https://dkwautounionproject.blogspot.com/2023/04/iwl-pitty-review-der-deutsche-strassen.html
By using aluminum for the solid disc wheels, the front fender, the running board, the splash panel, etc., its weight was reduced by 20 kg to 120 kg. By using a torsion bar suspension, driving comfort was significantly increased compared to the previous model.
The RT engine used in the Pitty had proven itself and was therefore continued in the Weisel, although it was still somewhat weak despite the lighter weight of the scooter. In Ludwigsfelde, a 150cc engine was being worked on, while at the same time MZ in Zschopau were recommending using their engine from the newly developed ES 175/250 motorcycles. After a production run of 57,400, the Wiesel was discontinued in May 1959.
https://dkwautounionproject.blogspot.com/2023/04/iwl-wiesel-der-deutsche-strassen.html
Now came the time of the legendary SR 59 'Berlin.' From the outside, it was only slightly different from its predecessor. It was his inner workings that led to his great reputation.
The 150cc (7.5 hp) engine, developed in Ludwigsfelde, delivered rapid acceleration and was suitable for driving long distances. The top speed of the scooter of 82 km/h was sufficient to float without problems even on rough country roads (on which the maximum speed was 80 km/h). Handling was significantly improved.
The attractiveness of the Berlin was also increased by the fact that compared to a motorcycle (in the East a car was still barely affordable), 40 kilos of extra luggage could be carried by using the 'Campi' trailer. The Campi was also approved for use by the Wiesel and the later Troll (here with an extended drawbar).
By December 1962, a total of 113 943 Berlins had been built. His successor, 'Troll 1' (touring roller Ludwigsfelde 1), was denied the fame he was entitled to in my opinion.
It was no longer the era of the scooter and many did not find the Troll's angular shape very appealing. Also, the convenience of an electric starter, such as that of the Czech Cezeta or Manet Tatran (which were imported at that time), could not be offered by IWL for economic reasons, despite plans to do so.
With the Berlin, the designers were able to prevail against the trend of standardization in East Germany, but not with the Troll. The entire lamp, including the asymmetrical headlight light that was outstanding at the time, the blower-provided 150 cc motor (9.5 hp), the extremely comfortable suspension struts, and many other parts come directly from the modular system of the MZ ES 125/150. On December 24th, 1964 the production of scooters in Ludwigsfelde stopped with the 56,513th Troll TR 1.
https://dkwautounionproject.blogspot.com/2020/08/iwl-troll-review-1963.html
The interest group "City Scooter Berlin", whose administration scooter friend Norbert Kamrad (Tel. 03 30 55/7 23 10) currently takes care of, maintains the legend of the "IWL scooter." https://iwl-stadtroller-berlin.de/
The book by Schulze / Blumenthal, published under the same title by Uwe-Weiz-Verlag Berlin, is to be recommended to all fans of "East German and Czechoslovakian scooters".
Maria Gottfried, published in the Oldtimer Freunde club magazine in August 2000 and translated by Paul Markham
For those unaware of the East German scooter scene, IWL enjoys the kind of cult following Vespas and Lambrettas have for the Mods.
My very detailed English language history:
https://dkwautounionproject.blogspot.com/2019/09/east-german-iwl-scooters.html
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