One man’s collection of BMWs raises €1m at auction

One mans collection of 90 BMWs has been sold for more than €1m.

The sale, one of the biggest in motorcycling history, saw Bonhams’ sell German Willy Neutkens’ collection at the BMW Museum in Munich, Germany.

Highlights of the sale included a 1924 BMW 493cc R32 which was at the heart of a five way bidding battle between three continents, eventually realising €109,250 (£99,573)almost tripling its estimate.

One of the sale’s most emotional purchases involved a woman bidder who secured the 1982 BMW 649cc R65LS for €2,530 (£2,306).

Having bought the motorcycle when it was new – proceeding to cover an incredible 170,000km over 14 years on continental tours – she was delighted to be reunited with it so many years later.

In all, more than 320 customers had registered to bid, making this one of the most successful sales for the Bonhams motorcycle department.