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.

Merry Christmas from NZ Classic Car magazine

The Classic Car magazine team is taking a few weeks’ holiday from the work computer and heading to the beach for some kickback time.
Merry Christmas, and have a wonderful summer holiday to all our readers, followers, and fans. Enjoy this special extra time with the family. We will be posting archive articles again in mid to late January.
Have fun, be good and be careful out there.

Two engines instead of one?

Popping two motors into a car is not only complicated, it doesn’t always end well. Donn Anderson recalls early attempts, including John Cooper’s ill-fated original Twini Mini built 58 years ago

For a boost in performance, better traction, and perhaps improved handling to some, two motors seems an obvious solution. It would also eliminate the need to develop a larger engine replacement from scratch, but would that outweigh the not inconsiderable technical difficulties?
The idea of using a pair of engines dates back at least 86 years to the Alfa Romeo Bimotor single seater racing car that was officially timed at 335km/h, or 208mph. Taking a lengthened Alfa P3 chassis, the Italians fitted two supercharged straight eight 2.9-litre and 3.2-litre engines, one in front of the cockpit, and the other behind the cockpit.