In the year 1951, Zündapp decided to visit the Italian market where Vespa and Lambretta were proliferating, very popular in their country of origin and very fashionable. After designing prototypes, Zündapp decided that it was ready to launch its “Scooter” on the market.

The Bella, with its design different from the competition, was presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1953, initially with a 150cc engine and a year later with a 200cc engine with 10hp of power.

In 1955, the 200cc R201 was released on the market with electric start, a new carburetor, more curved lines, and a Steib sidecar as an option (as in the case of this model on display).

The last 150cc Bella was manufactured in 1958, but the 200cc continued until 1962, and the 175cc model, the R175S, was introduced in 1961 until 1964.