BMW Heritage Collection sold

A packed audience of over 1,000 people gathered in the fabulous surroundings of the BMW Museum in Munich on Saturday 28 November to witness a total sell-out auction of the Willy Neutkens Collection of BMW Motorcycles. The Collection comprised 94 Lots (91 motorcycles, a Ural side-car, a BMW stationary engine and a wooden model) and carried a pre-sale estimate of between $916,000 and $1,210,000. However, by the time the last lot was sold, the auction total was a massive $1,610,666, with 100 percent of items sold.

Customers from across the world participated in the sale, with many making the pilgrimage to the home of BMW to attend in person. Bidders came from as far as Australia, New Zealand, USA and Hong Kong, with many going on to buy some of the exceptional motorcycles on offer. A clear highlight of the sale was the 493cc BMW R 32 from 1924 (Lot 40) which was at the heart of a five way bidding battle between three continents, eventually realising $169,458 against a pre-sale estimate of between $52,000 and $70,000. It is believed the successful bidder was an Australian buyer.

Bids also came from the BMW Museum itself - the host of the sale - which secured the 1953 Ex-Works ISDT BMW 594cc R 67/2 for $41,027 (estimate $25,000 - 35,000). This historic competition machine beautifully complements the other motorcycles in its own impressive collection. One of the sale's most emotional and charming purchases involved a lady bidder who secured the 1982 BMW R 65LS for $3,925. Having bought a motorcycle when it was new - and proceeding to cover an incredible 170,000 kilometres on it over 14 years on Continental tours - she was delighted to be reunited with 'her' machine so many years later.

In all, over 320 customers had registered to bid, making this one of the most successful sales for the Bonhams motorcycle department, which conducted the sale. Malcolm Barber, the auctioneer on the day commented: "The BMW archivists, directors and management team at the Museum worked closely with our company following instructions from the Neutkens family to market and offer their collection for sale. The combined strengths of our respective companies ensured full marketing, an informative catalogue and a perfect setting to obtain this fabulous result."

This was a view shared by Fred Jakobs, BMW's Archivist for motorcycles at the museum, who said: "I was delighted with the outcome of today's sale, it was a pleasure for my company to work closely with Bonhams, as they presented a first class auction. We too were delighted to have acquired the 1953 Ex-Works, ISDT BMW R 67/2 for our collection. It has come home and will be on display here at the museum next year as it is the 'grandfather' of our Enduro bikes."