Description
This motorcycle is Lot 20 to be auctioned by Bonhams at The Spring Stafford Sale (The International Classic MotorCycle Show) on April 25th & 26th, please see the Bonhams Motorcycles Website for full details.
Auction Timings:
Lots 1 - 94 are to be sold from 14:30 on Saturday 25th April 2026.
Lots 201 - 353 are to be sold from 11:30am on Sunday 26th April 2026.
Public Viewing:
Available 25th & 26th April 2026 from 09:00 until 17:00, at The Staffordshire County Showground (The International Classic MotorCycle Show).
The Connoisseurs Collection, Part II,
** 1951 Zündapp 600cc KS601**
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 550412
Engine no. B33781 (see text)
** The Lot is from outside the UK. Shippio Ltd must automatically uplift this Lot after the auction, complete all post sale import or export customs administration, and store this Lot until it is customs cleared. A compulsory fee of £350 + VAT will be added to the buyer's invoice for this. This Lot cannot be collected from the auction venue by the purchaser or any alternative transporter.
If the Lot is to stay in the UK or is not exported within 90 days of sale, Import VAT at 5% on the hammer price is payable.**
Founded at the height of WWI to manufacture armaments, Zündapp found a new role post-war as a producer of motorcycles under the direction of new owner, Dr Fritz Neumeyer, building its first machine, a Levis-powered two-stroke, in 1921. The firm began making its own engines in 1924, selling more than 10, 000 machines that year, and at the Berlin Motor Show in 1933 introduced the first of the horizontally opposed, four-stroke twins that it is best remembered for. These formed part of an extensive and diverse range of models, all but the smallest two-stroke being designated by the letter 'K' (for kardan, meaning 'shaft'). Among the models premiered were the K400 (398cc) and K500 (496cc) sidevalve twins, both of which employed designer Richard Küchen's unconventional all-chain four-speed 'gearbox' and, as the designation suggests, shaft final drive.
Immediately prior to the outbreak of war in September 1939, Zündapp introduced an overhead-valve twin, the KS600, which featured the Küchen transmission, a pressed steel frame, and similar girder forks. The KS600 was revived, albeit briefly, a few years after the end of WW2. Introduced early in 1951, its replacement was the KS601, which employed a broadly similar engine/ transmission in a conventional tubular steel frame with telescopic fork front suspension. The KS601 was Germany's fastest roadster at the time of its introduction.
This KS601 was purchased by the vendor from an auction in the USA in August 2000 (see related paperwork on file). According to the attached VIN plaque, this example left the factory with engine number '550412' opposed to that presently installed. Currently displaying a total of 9, 767 kilometres on the odometer, the machine is presented in restored condition and would respond well to detailing (the engine turns over).
Offered unregistered and without registration documents. Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning and/ or restoration to a greater or lesser extent before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's completeness, history, authenticity, originality and mechanical condition prior to bidding.
Offered with key
All lots are sold ‘as is/ where is’ and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams Motorcycles website for all pertinent auction information.
