Rauch and Spiegel... hmmm...
 

Just saw the post on the sprockets and brought this thought to mind.

Anyone happen to know the irony of this company name?

Consulted with a gent a lot who came up through club racing ranks and owned a pro team in the 993 RSR days share this one with me.

I had to look this up myself. Rauch started off by making textiles and later became a politician. He got a call from Bill Spiegel (of Spiegel Catalog fame), who wanted to make a unique type of Christmas ornament.

Coincidence that two Americans join together to form a company that translates to "Smoke and Mirrors" in German.

Also coincidental that an American company exports car parts to Germany.

Bingo on the "smoke and mirrors"!

...not sure how much confidence there was buying from this company in the beginning for anyone who knows German.