The Mars company of Nuremberg established its initial business in 1873 with cast iron stoves. In 1894, as a second manufacturer in Europe, the production of bicycle was started. In 1920 Mars arose attention with the production of the legendary "White Mars". The unusual design with a box-section frame and longitudinally installed and partially fan-cooled 952 ccm two-cylinder boxer engine made by Maybach, which had to be started by hand with a crank, made this vehicle into one of the most desired collector items of today.