Description
This motorcycle is Lot 14 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
** c. 1939 BMW 494cc R51 Project**
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 512929
Engine no. corroded, illegible
** 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.**
When BMW-mounted Georg Meier became the first foreign winner of the Isle of Man Senior TT in 1939, it marked the pinnacle of pre-war success for a firm that, remarkably, had not built a motorcycle of its own until 1923. Originally an aero engine manufacturer, Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) had come into being in July 1917 when the Bayerische Fluzeugwerke (BFW) company was reorganised. BMW's engines had proved their worth time and again in aerial combat in WWI, but on cessation of hostilities the firm had no option but to seek other work.
Slowly BMW succeeded in re-establishing itself, and in 1920 turned to motorcycle production. Its first two models, marketed as the Frink and Helios respectively, were failures but a successful proprietary engine was supplied to other manufacturers such as Victoria. Designed by Chief Engineer Max Friz and launched in 1923, the first motorcycle to be sold as a BMW - the R32 - featured a 494cc, twin-cylinder, sidevalve engine having horizontally opposed cylinders, and this 'flat twin' layout would forever be associated with the marque.
An important step forward in the development of BMW's long-running flat-twin occurred in 1936 with the introduction of the 494cc R5. Prior to that the BMW engine had been recognisably related to the first of its type, the 1923 R32, and like those of its (500cc) predecessors, the R5's engine dimensions were 'square' at 68x68mm bore/ stroke. However, the overhead-valve R5 engine broke new ground by adopting two chain-driven camshafts, a move that permitted shorter pushrods and higher revs. Maximum power increased to 24bhp at 5, 800rpm. Top speed was an impressive 140km/ h (87mph). In 1938 this flagship model was up-dated as the R51, gaining a telescopic front fork and plunger rear suspension, and continued in production until 1940, by which time 3, 775 of these exciting sports roadsters had been sold, many bought by German police forces. The R51 was one of the most coveted sports roadsters of its era and today is highly sought after by collectors.
This BMW R51 appears restored, although incomplete, and is offered as a rolling project. The odometer reading is zero kilometres and the engine turns over.
Offered unregistered and without 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.
