1913 Adler 9hp 1.3-litre Kleinwagen Two-seater

Frankfurt-based Adler were bicycle manufacturers in the nineteenth century, turning later to the production of motorcycles, cars and the typewriters with which the Adler name is most commonly associated today. A highly respected firm in its native Germany, Adler was already manufacturing automobile components for others when it introduced its first motor car – a Renault-influenced, De Dion Bouton-powered voiturette – in 1900. Within a few years the company was making its own single and twin cylinder engines although by 1910 the Adler range was powered exclusively by four-cylinder units.

The Edwardian Adler was conventional in all major respects although generally featured only a hand-operated throttle which is surprisingly easy to acclimatise to. The Kleinwagen (little car), introduced in 1911, was a successful attempt to bridge the gap between the rather fragile contemporary cyclecars and Adler's own 1.8-litre 12hp model. The Kleinwagen was powered by a four-cylinder, side-valve engine with bore and stroke of 65mm x 98mm, displacing 1,292cc. Spark was by magneto, a Zenith carburettor was adopted and a water pump fitted, while other chassis features included a three-speed gearbox with right-hand gate change, shaft and bevel final drive, transmission foot brake, rear wheel hand-brake and semi-elliptic suspension front and rear. Weight was just 10cwt and contemporary road test figures spoke of 50mph and 38mpg.

Descriptions & pictures by bonhams & classicoftheday & other