Condor motorcycles began as a bicycle works, (Scheffer Brothers) in the Jura Mountains of southwestern Switzerland in 1891. By 1904, the company was known as Condor and enjoyed a brisk business with the Swiss Army and Postal Service.
The earliest motorcycles were little more than reinforced bicycles – difficult to ride but remove durable.

By 1920, Condor had introduced a motorcycle with a two-speed gearbox and a “real” front fork – World War had been a revealing proving ground.

The period between the wars saw both commercial and racing successes, but after 1945, Condor was devastated by a lack of raw materials, and more importantly, no reliable source for engines. The Army needed a new design, narrower and easier to handle.

In addition, the new A 580 was robust and expensive, but it was also heavy and not successful in the civilian market.

Condor began development of the A 250 in 1956. The specified 250cc single was to have equal or better power than its predecessor, but it was much lighter and easier to handle.

With low production numbers anticipated, Condor could not be used for a bespoke engine, so they turned to Maseratti for their 246cc unit. After only 30 A 250s were built, the relationship soured, and Condor found themselves designing a 249cc engine, based on the A 580’s case, but using a single-cylinder, overhead cam, side-valve configuration with shaft drive.

Introduced in 1958 as the A 250 (A for “Army”) at the Geneva Motor Show, the motorcycle was a modest success, and even enjoyed some success in the civilian market with the C 250.

573 units of “C” and “A” Condor were delivered before production ended in 1969.

Condor no longer builds motorcycles, but it is still in business, fabricating metal parts for other manufacturers.