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LOT 13 *N

The Connoisseurs Collection, Part II 1927 BMW 494cc R47 Registration no. not registered Frame no. 4270 (see text) Engine no. 35592

Sold for £32,200 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 13*,N

The Connoisseurs Collection, Part II, 1927 BMW 494cc R47

The Connoisseurs Collection, Part II
1927 BMW 494cc R47
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 4270 (see text)
Engine no. 35592

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.


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. The marque's first sports machine, the R37, appeared in 1924. The R37 boasted an overhead-valve engine producing almost double the R32's power output - 16bhp, good enough for a top speed of more than 70mph - but was produced for little more than a year (only 175 being made) before being replaced by the improved R47, the latter featuring increased power (18bhp) and a driveshaft-mounted rear brake in place of the R37's block-and-pulley type. The R47's cycle parts were typically BMW, comprising a duplex loop frame and leaf-sprung trailing-link front fork. Top speed was in the region of 70mph. R47 production lasted for just two years, 1,720 machines being sold, and today this rare Vintage-era BMW is among the marque's most desirable and sought after machines of the period.

This R47 is presented in restored condition and would respond well to detailing (the engine turns over). The odometer reading is 43,202, though whether this is kilometres or miles remains unknown, and it should be noted that the frame number '4270' is not a BMW factory stamping. The machine is offered with a (copy) owner's manual (in German) but no other 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.
Key not required

Footnotes



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.

Please see the Auction Information and Guide for Buyers at the top of the main sale page, for bidders' obligations. The Spring Stafford Sale

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This Lot will be auctioned on Saturday 25 April, with the auction starting at 2:30pm BST.

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Auction Viewings

  • 25 April 2026, 09:00 - 17:00 BST
  • 26 April 2026, 09:00 - 17:00 BST

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*Import low rate
VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.
NNOVA declaration
This machine is subject to post-sale customs administration and, for UK Buyers, a NOVA declaration. Whilst the responsibility of submitting the NOVA rests with the Buyer to do so, Bonhams will facilitate the process by engaging an agent (SHIPPIO) to undertake the NOVA and C88 (customs) application if applicable on the Buyer's behalf. A fee to do so will be added to the Buyer's invoice, as follows: for Live Public Sales: £350 + VAT; for Timed, Online-only Sales: £195 + VAT.

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