In 1920 Friedrich Kleemann (1868-1949), financial manager and main actioneer at the Rex tin glass company in Bad Homburg (Germany) bought COLUMBUS MOTORENBAU AG, a little motor factory in Oberursel by Taunus, which was in the neighbourhood. The factory made the later Horex model and the name remained the same for almost 30 years. Fritz Kleemann "the son of Friedrich Kleemann" made the first cycles with a GNOM engine, delievered from Columbus-Engine factory.
In 1923 Fritz Kleemann (1901-1975), built HOREX-FAHRZEUGBAU AG (HOREX-ENGINE FACTORY L.t.d.) He got the name from his town HOmburg and his father's tin glass company REX. He was also a MC Racer and was riding his own Horex mc. He built the first "real" Horex, a 248cc, OHV, that he tested himself on race. So, Horex was built from mc riders to mc riders.
In 1925 he had financials problems with his Horex factory and became a partner with Columbus. Columbus and Horex started to produce mc's from 250 to 800cc. The first motorcycle, that those partners built was a 600cc side valve and later a 600cc with 4 ohvalves, model S 64.
In 1938 SB 35, 350cc was built. This engine was also delievered to Victoria for KR 35 model. During The War there wasn't any Horex production, but after The War in 1948, SB 35 was again in the market.
In 1950 the modern mc of SB 35, "REGINA" came into production, a beautiful single motorcycle that Horex built.
In 1953 came Regina 250, 350 and 400cc. with aluminium head.
In 1954 Horex built the IMPERATOR model, a 400cc twin engine and 446cc. that was sold to the American market as "Citation".In 1955 Horex RESIDENT model came. Model 8, 350cc, ohv, single and model 11, 250cc, ohv, single.
In 1956 Horex production was only 2790 motorcycles. This was just only 15% of the 1953 top year production, therefore Horex desided not to produce motorcycles and produced only parts for Daimer-Benz.
In 1960 Daimler-Benz took over. That was the end of the HOREX factory.
(Translated by: Makis MC Classic)