Mars 1920

„The White Mars is legendary within German motorcycling circles. It even featured on a Deutsche Bundespost stamp in 1983. So what’s so special about this motorcycle? Although it first appeared in 1920, the styling still looks radical today. And at the time, the 986 cc sidevalve flat twin engine—built by Maybach—was considered enormous. The two-speed Mars MA21 was also available in red and green, but it’s the stark, minimal white option that has become intrinsically associated with this bike. It’s just so different from the usual motorcycles produced between the wars. Mars was based in Nürnberg, Germany, and built motorcycles on-and-off between 1903 and 1958. Small machines such as the ‘Stella’ kept the factory humming after WW2—but it’s the Claus Franzenburger-designed heavyweight that’s revered today...” from http://www.bikeexif.com

Maybach 998cc engine

Mars-Werke AG history. The company was founded in 1873 by Paul Reissmann in Nuremberg, Germany. First they manufactured cast-iron stoves, then they started to manufacture of hand-, belt- and engine- driven sirens, grinding machines and bicycles. In 1903 the company began to construct motorcycles and small cars. Their most famous design was the legendary 'White Mars', designed by the engineer Claus Franzenburger in 1920 (the design was available also in red and green color). In years 1923/ 1924 rapid inflation caused economic difficulties of the company. Brothers Johann and Karl Mueller, who worked as managers and designers at Mars, they took over the plant, but not the brand name. After this change Mars motorcycles were distributed under the name 'MA'.