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BMW motorcycles had been raced since the company's arrival on the two-wheeled scene in the early1920s, but it was not until the late 1930s that they began to make a significant impact outside Germany. The development of supercharging technology in the late 1920s had enabled Ernst Henne to set a string of motorcycle speed records for BMW, so forced induction was a logical choice when the company decided to go road racing. When the new 500cc Rennsport (RS) appeared in 1935 it was powered by an advanced double-overhead-camshaft engine complete with Zoller 'blower' mounted on the front of the crankcase. Also new was the telescopic front fork, soon to be seen on BMW's roadsters, and when plunger rear suspension was added to the package in 1936 the Rennsport was ready to challenge the British Nortons and Italian Gileras for Grand Prix honours.

Targeting the Isle of Man TT, BMW made its first official appearance at the world's most prestigious road race in 1937, works rider Jock West finishing 6th in the Senior race. West followed up this promising performance by winning that year's Ulster Grand Prix, but BMW would not achieve its ultimate goal until 1939, when Georg Meier brought the coveted Senior TT trophy back to Munich.

With supercharging banned after the war, the Rennsport engine was reconfigured for natural aspiration and found its true métier as a sidecar power unit, winning 20 Manufacturers' World Championships between 1954 and 1973. Although redesigned with a Norton Featherbed-style frame, the solo Rennsport was outclassed at Grand Prix level, Walter Zeller's win at Schotten in 1953 - an event boycotted by the major title contenders - being the sole World Championship victory. Technological innovations pioneered on the Rennsport sidecar engine, including fuel injection, duly found their way onto Zeller's works bike, which by 1956 had reached the peak of its development. At that year's Isle of Man TT Zeller finished 4th in the Senior event before going on to claim 2nd place at both the Dutch and Belgian Grands Prix, finishing the season 6th in the World Championship.

Intended for supply to selected private owners, the Rennsport, although subsidised by the factory, was an expensive purchase and relatively few were sold. With most now either in private hands or in museums, the only option for many enthusiasts is the creation of a replica.

Our vendor purchased the BMW in 1996 from Gianni Perrone, the well-known Italian racer, collector, author and dealer, who specialised in important European racing motorcycles (copy invoice on file). (No claim of matching numbers or originality is made in the documentation.) The Rennsport formed part of a small group of significant competition and other motorcycles acquired at the same time, including an NSU Sportmax, MV Agusta SOHC racer, 1946 Lambretta Model A, and Rumi Formichino. Pre- and post-restoration photographs on file show the machine with a competition fuel tank, single seat and a racing exhaust, while other notable features include a Smiths 12,000rpm tachometer; Dell'Orto carburettors; 19" wheel rims: Borrani front and Akront rear; and a shaft drive housing stamped '9/35'.

BMW has informed Bonhams that neither the frame number nor the engine number of this Rennsport are original factory stampings, and thus it must be classed as a replica. Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to the originality and correctness of this motorcycle's component parts prior to bidding.

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. The engine turns over.
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