Classic BMW K1 auctioned for Nepal earthquake relief

19 May, 2015

In 1992, BMW released for production the K1 motorcycle — their first production motorcycle featuring four valves per cylinder, and cutting-edge design. That design stood the test of time in that it still boasts the lowest coefficient of drag of any production motorcycle to date.

A beautifully restored example has been donated by BMW specialists Mint Classics, of Münster, to RM Sotheby’s auction house — 100 per cent of the auction’s proceeds are to benefit Caritas International, which is a confederation that volunteers and provides aid for when a crisis hits. These proceeds will go towards the support of relief work for the recent Nepalese earthquakes.

“We are proud to lend our auction services to support the area’s earthquake-relief efforts, with 100 per cent of proceeds from the bike’s sale, including buyer’s premiums, supporting this deserving cause,” said Max Girardo, Managing Director of RM Sotheby’s Europe,

The auction is to take place during the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on Lake Como, Italy, on May 23. We hope the bidders will dig deep for a truly worthy cause.

Lunch with … Rodger Anderson

At first, I wondered if I’d driven up the wrong driveway. The car in the garage was an early Mustang resplendent in royal blue with two broad gold stripes, which was not what I was expecting. I knew that Rodger Anderson, who made his name in Minis and a BMW 2002, was a Porsche man these days — the other end of the spectrum from American muscle. I had no idea of his affection for Detroit iron. It didn’t take long to discover just how passionate this former Saloon Car Champion is about cars, as long as they’re interesting.

Back from the brink – 1968 MGB GT

Auckland classic car enthusiast Kerry Bowman soon realised he had a massive job on his hands in restoring his classic 1968 MGB GT. When Kerry and his MGB first appeared in New Zealand Classic Car in March 2021, in “Behind The Garage Door”, the stripped-out shell had revealed some nasty surprises. Once the true extent of the hidden damage was discovered, the work would normally have been handed over to a professional fabricator. However, with the assistance of experts such as MG specialist restorer, Paul Walbran, Kerry has completed an impressive restoration and saved this car from the scrapheap.