Dürkopp

D, 1898 – 1927

(1) Bielefelder Maschinenfabrik vorm. Dürkopp & Co AG, Bielefield, 1898 – 1913

(2) Dürkoppwerke AG, Bielefeld, 1913 – 1927

Dürkopp cars made their first public appearance in 1899. The Dürkopp car had 2-cylinder engines and were based on Panhard-Levassor principles. After 1902 4-cylinder Dürkopp cars were also built, a 3-cylinder and a 6-cylinder model being added in 1903. Dürkopp had a branch factory in France and the cars were also known under the name Canello-Dürkopp. In the United-Kingdom they were marketed as Watsonias.

Dürkopp was seldom active in sports events and specialized in heavy types of touring car. These were based on a Dürkopp racing car developed for the Kaiserpreis Race of 1907 with a 4-cylinder 7.2-litre engine developing 70bhp. The largest model Dürkopp DG43 with a 13-litre engine developed 100bhp. From 1908 small Dürkopp models were also built, later known under the name of Knipperdolling, of which the type Dürkopp EK6 continued in production after World War 1. Another post-war model was the Dürkopp P8 with a 2-litre 8/32ps engine. This Dürkopp model was also available as a sports car with a 40bhp engine and with a blown engine developing 60bhp. This latter version brought Hans tuck his first racing successes.

Production of private Dürkopp cars ceased in 1927, while production of Dürkopp lorries, which had started early in the century, lasted until 1929. Motor cycles were built by Dürkopp from 1900 to 1914 and again from 1948, the best-known post-war product being the Diana scooter.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; HON

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