Vorbauer & Reichenwallner of Landwehrstrasse in Munich, established in 1919, sold Dixi bicycles. Max Vorbauer was a keen cyclist who was responsible for the construction of a board cycling track in Munich.
Around 1930 Max Vorbauer formed his own company which sold and distributed to other dealers Coventry-Eagle and New Imperial motorcycles. He also marketed Kolibri bicycle engines, available as a complete Dixi motorised bicycle.
Early in 1931 they ceased importing Coventry-Eagle and began distributing Mammut motorcycles which were similar in design to the English machines. Later that year Vorbauer began producing, under licence, the Coventry-Eagle Marvel, a lightweight powered by a 98cc Villiers two-stroke engine which he marketed under the Europa brand. This model was available until early 1933.
January 1932 saw the introduction of the Europa 150 powered by the 148cc Villiers Mk XIIC. Fitted with a Hurth three-speed gearbox, it had both kickstarter and clutch. Later models had a saddle tank.
The following year the Europa 200 was added to the range, but disaster struck when the National Socialist government banned the import of the English engines. It is possible that Vorbauer fitted Schliha two-strokes in an attempt to survive, but bankruptcy ensued later in 1933.
Sources: GTU Oldtimerservice; Tragatsch p 129; Motopedia.
