1944 NSU

This Sonderkraftfahrzeug 2 (Sd.Kfz. 2), or “Special Purpose Vehicle,” was built by NSU in 1944 and is one of approximately 8,400 examples built for the German military between 1939 and 1944. It spent several years in private collections before it was acquired by the current owner in 2020. The vehicle features camouflage paint, a motorcycle driver’s seat, and a tan canvas upholstered rear bench. Power comes from a 1.5-liter Opel inline-four paired with a three-speed dual-range manual transmission, and features include a single headlight, a trailer hitch, a canvas rear cover, and blackout taillights. This Kettenkrad is now offered by the seller on behalf of the current owner in Los Angeles, California, with tools, bolt-action display rifles, and a bill of sale. Also known as the Kettenkrad, or “tracked motorcycle,” the Sd.Kfz. 2 was built by NSU and served as a gun tractor, a troop carrier, and an aircraft tug for the German military during World War II. It was designed to fit in the cargo hold of a Junkers Ju 52 transport plane and was capable of climbing a 24-degree incline. This example was repainted in its current camouflage scheme under previous ownership and features German military stenciling as well as front fender-mounted and rear number plates. Additional equipment includes a trailer hitch, a canvas rear cover, blackout taillights, a shovel and axe, and bolt-action display rifles. The solid front wheel wears camouflage paint as well as a 3.50-19 Gelände Verstärkt tire. The wheel was designed to be removed in difficult terrain, and the handlebars would engage the opposite-side track brakes for steering. The driver’s compartment features a replacement motorcycle seat, hand and foot controls, and VDO instrumentation including a 4k-rpm tachometer, a 120-km/h speedometer, and a water temperature gauge. The five-digit odometer shows 113 kilometers (~70 miles), and total mileage is unknown. The rear compartment features seating for two on a bench upholstered in tan canvas. The 1.5-liter Opel inline-four features overhead valves, a single Solex carburetor, and was factory rated at 36 horsepower. Power is sent to the drive tracks via a three-speed, dual-range transmission with reverse as well as a single-plate dry clutch.