Eysink (Netherlands) - AllCarIndex

Eysink was a Dutch automobile and motorcycle manufacturer founded in 1886 by D.H. Eysink in Amersfoort, Netherlands. Initially, the company focused on building bicycles and assembling light units. However, the business evolved significantly under the influence of D.H. Eysink's sons, Menno and August, who recognized the growing demand for motorized vehicles. They began by assembling bicycles equipped with small engines before progressing to the production of automobiles.

In 1897, Eysink produced its first motorcar, which featured a single-cylinder Benz petrol engine. This vehicle marked the beginning of car production in the Netherlands. The early Eysink cars were notable for their front-mounted engines, wire wheels, and the use of a steering wheel instead of a tiller. They incorporated tubular frames, belt primary drives, and chain final drives, showcasing innovative engineering for the time.

Following the initial success, Eysink expanded its lineup to include 10 and 12 horsepower two-cylinder shaft-driven cars after 1901. The company continued to develop a range of four-cylinder models until the outbreak of World War I, offering vehicles with 10/12, 16/20, and 20/30 horsepower engines, as well as a six-cylinder 30/40 horsepower model equipped with two Zenith carburetors, which was uncommon for that era. In 1912, Eysink introduced a light car featuring a 6/8 horsepower four-cylinder engine and a two-seater body, although it faced challenges due to its pressure-lubrication system.

After the war, Eysink attempted to revive its automobile production, but the reintroduced models were not successful, primarily due to their high cost compared to imported American cars. By around 1920, after producing approximately 400 units, Eysink ceased car production, with only one known example remaining in the Netherlands. Some of the cars were exported to the Dutch East Indies, Denmark, and Great Britain, where they were used as taxicabs in London. In contrast, Eysink found greater success in motorcycle manufacturing, continuing to produce motorcycles until 1956.