World’s largest private collection of BMW motorcycles goes on sale

The sale of the Willy Neutkens Collection of BMW motorcycles will be held at the BMW Museum in Munich on 28 November. A legend among BMW collectors, the late Willy Neutkens (1925-2008) assembled the world's largest collection of BMW motorcycles, earning him an entry in the Guinness Book of Records for owning the most examples of a single make. The collection consists of almost every model built since BMW commenced motorcycle production in 1923, including the very last of the old-style, twin-cylinder Boxers. The latter – an R 100 Classic – was specially delivered to Neutkens by BMW and remains unused.

Just a few of the bikes in the Willy Neutkens Collection of BMW motorcycles,

Neutkens' collection naturally contains a large number of pre-war BMW models, which despite their age are in perfect condition, some having covered a very low mileage. The collection ranges in scope from the very first BMW R 32 of 1923 to the R 100 R of 1996, while other particularly noteworthy examples include Georg Meier's R 68 ISDT machine and a wartime R 75 Kriegselefant sidecar outfit painted in Afrika Korps colours.

Every motorcycle has been restored by Willy himself with boundless energy, love and dedication, and all look like new. BMW gave him access to its archives in Munich where he found all the necessary information.

Together with his wife, Willy Neutkens first sold bicycles and washing machines from his shop, but the business became better known once he started selling mopeds and motorcycles under the name 'MotoPort Neutkens'. The shop in The Netherlands sold various makes before concentrating exclusively on BMW. When Willy retired, leaving the day-to-day running in the hands of his son, Jan, he was able to travel the world searching for rare BMW models and missing components.

Before long the collection had grown to such a size that it was impossible to display it properly. Then, in 1998, BMW Netherlands organized the exhibition of Willy's entire collection in the Autotron Museum in Rosmalen, Netherlands to mark BMW's 75th anniversary as a motorcycle manufacturer. At that time he owned 73 BMWs, yet only three years later his collection had grown to more than 100. Just under 100 machines will be offered for sale at the BMW Museum in November.

Particular highlights include early models such as the 1923 R 32 (estimate £30,000-40,000), a pair of R 42s dated 1926 and 1927 (£18,000-22,000 and £17,000-20,000 respectively) and a 1927 R 47 (£20,000-25,000). Other noteworthy pre-war models include the 1930 R 16 (£15,000-18,000) and the 1936 R 17 (£12,000-16,000).

Also on offer are some outstanding wartime models, such as the 1942 and 1943 R 75 Kriegselefant sidecar outfits painted in Afrika Korps colours, which are expected to achieve between £20,000-25,000 each. Once owned – and raced – by Isle of Man TT-winning motorcycling legend Georg Meier, the 1953 R 68 ISDT is estimated at £17,000-20,000.

One of many particularly noteworthy examples is Georg Meier's R 68 ISDT machine.

Other post-war models include a 1966 R 69 S (£8,000-12,000), 1973 and 1975 R 90 S (£6,000-10,000 each) and the R 100 Classic – last of the old-style twin cylinder Boxers – which was presented to Neutkens by BMW and remains unused (£5,500-6,000.

The late Willy Neutkens assembled the world's largest collection of BMW motorcycles.

Ben Walker, Head of the Motorcycles Department at Bonhams said: "It is a privilege to offer this collection on behalf of the Neutkins family. Not only is it one of the most prestigious collections of BMW motorcycles in the world but it is also taking place at a world class museum – the BMW Museum in Munich."

To see the full listing of motorcycles for sale and for details of how to bid, please visit http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/public.sh/pubweb/publicSite.r?sContinent=EUR&screen=motorcyclesbmwlotlist.