On The Pegs January 2020 - Volume 5 - Issue 1 | Page 79

On The Pegs
VOL. 5 ISSUE 1 - JANUARY 2020
79
Husqvarna sales started racing after the war. In 1946 they already delivered
more than two thousand vehicles and the following year it was up to five thou-
sand. Even though the margins for each unit were slim, the light-weight machines
positively contributed to the profits to the factory’s financial status. From model
24 to model 30, there were 70,000 happy owners. In a Husqvarna advertisement
it was announced that four versions of the 120 cc were available, the most ex-
pensive 30 Sport costing 1,618 Swedish Kronor (approx. 320 US dollars). And the
catalogue now offered a red version, properly named the Red-Mill. In the end the
engine capacity increased to 125 cc and there was also a Blue-Mill outfit. The last
model 32 was introduced in 1957 as model 32 Sport, giving an output of 6 HP. It
has been calculated that close to 100,000 units were sold from 1939 to 1959.
The next progress came with Husqvarna’s “Dream Machine” that was presented
in 1952. Model 281 was colourful and had a little carry-over from the Black and
Red-Mill models. “Drömbagen” - in Swedish - had a new 175 cc engine, designed
by Olle Edlund. He developed a reliable 2-stroke power source, which turned out
to be unbreakable - lifelong. The power package had a performance of 7.5 HP at
5,000 rpm. This motorcycle offered young people an affordable transport alterna-
tive and the bike was successful from the start. The Dream Machine weighed 100