Röhr: a scooter brand with an innovative edge
Röhr is a German historic brand that became famous in the early 1950s with the production of the Rolletta scooter. It all started in 1945, when Erich Röhr produced tractors with diesel engines in Passau. Four years later, the company moved to Landshut and expanded the range to include agricultural machinery.
Röhr - Rolletta
Germany
1954
In 1952, German company Maschinenfabrik introduced Erich Röhr his first scooter: the Rolletta, equipped with a 197cc ILO engine. This scooter stood out for its high-quality finish and innovative technologies that were groundbreaking at the time. Among others, the electric starter motor, the lights that indicated the gear engaged, and the illuminated petrol tap under the bonnet gave the Rolletta a unique look.
The end of Röhr: bankruptcy and takeover
Despite its promising start, Maschinenfabrik Erich Röhr went bankrupt in 1954, marking the end of Rolletta production. The brand was briefly taken over by Isaria Landmachinenbau, a company owned by Hans Glas, which was already known for producing the Goggo scooters and the Goggomobil. Yet Isaria also stopped producing the Rolletta in 1955, and thus the Röhr brand was closed for good.
Röhr Rolletta: an influential, brief history
Although production of the Röhr Rolletta lasted only a few years, the brand has left a lasting impression in the history of classic scooters. The innovative design and technologies of the Rolletta made it a notable player in the German scooter market of the 1950s. A total of 2,000 Rolletta scooters were built. Today, 60 are still known, making the Röhr Rolletta a sought-after collector's item for fans of vintage scooters and retro vehicles.