Nimbus Special (1938)

Nimbus 1938 “Luxus” 746 cc OHC four-in-line frame # 3934 engine # 5855

When the Nimbus first appeared in 1919, competitors mocked its strange look (a round-tank in a sea of flat-tank motorcycles).
However, it was a good reliable performer and was quite popular. Pedar A Fisker promoted the model by riding one himself in various trials and races with notable successes.
The design went through an improved ‘B’ version, before production stopped around 1928, by then 1252 motorcycles had been manufactured.
Although a very good motorcycle, it was just too expensive to sell in enough quantity for the recessionary market conditions at the time.
By the early thirties Fisker thought the time ripe for a new venture in motorcycle production.
In 1934 a new building was commissioned and the new “ Model C” was brought out in April of that year.
The flat steel strip frame was a feature in common with the “stove pipe” , but most other features were totally new: the top half of the crankcase was cast in one piece with the ribbed air cooled cylinder block.
The iron cylinder head sported an overhead camshaft.
The crankshaft drove this overhead camshaft through the upright mounted dynamo via sets of bevel gears.
A Nimbus is a real touring motorcycle; it provides 18 HP @ 4,000 RPM. It is a pleasant and unusual design with a good spares situation.
Most model C’s were purchased by the Danish army, police, and post office.
To the casual beholder all Nimbus machines may seem identical, but by the late thirties there were actually four models: the Standard model that was finished in black without lining and had hand gear change and the Luxus, Sport and Special models that were equipped with foot change.
The Sport and Special had more powerful 22HP engines and were also identified by their finish: the former was finished in Blue and had a high-level exhaust and the latter was finished in Lavender Gray or Ivory.
This early Nimbus is finished in the Wine Red colour that was, together with Pine Green, reserved for the luxury models.
It was delivered on May 23, 1938 and was purchased and subsequently restored by the former owner in 1970.
During this half century of ownership the Nimbus saw little use but has been kept in fine condition.