BMW Group Classic: bmw-group-classic-newsletter_04

OUR BRANDS. OUR STORIES.

THE BMW GROUP CLASSIC NEWSLETTER #04_2020.

20 January 2020

100 YEARS OF BMW BOXER ENGINES

NEW SPIRIT FROM BERLIN: HOW THE BMW /5 RESCUED THE MOTORCYCLE.

BMW was beginning to take off in the 1960s (the “New Class”) but the motorcycle was on a downward spiral (just 3651 new motorcycles were registered in Germany in 1963!). What a good job that two-wheeler visionaries nevertheless had some clout at BMW. Technical Director Helmut Werner Bönsch fought his corner for a new development, and the result was the BMW /5 Series – with modern design, advanced engineering and a Boxer engine. The models BMW R 50/5, BMW R 60/5 and BMW R 75/5 awakened a new spirit, they came to epitomise freedom on two wheels, and success came in spades. This was the launchpad for a new era in motorcycle construction at BMW. When production of the new model started up, the entire manufacture of motorcycles was transferred to the plant in Berlin in 1969.

#WINTERWITHINKA

WINTER WITH INKA: A BEACON LIGHTS UP EUROPE.

It’s certainly been round the block, the first-generation BMW 525 from the collection at BMW Group Classic styled in Inka Orange. This absolute gem is currently being passed around each week among fans and friends, and its exploits are posted under the Intstagram hashtag #winterwithinka. Daniel Nikodem (@bmwjogge) hung out in a dark wintry forest over Christmas, Roman Rätzke from Hamburg (@romanraetzke) was in the historic harbour city. Ingmar Bötker (@ingmarbtker) found some cool backgrounds for photos of the Inka back in his native Denmark. The 1970s icon liveried in deepest orange provided a stunning beacon whatever the scenario. Other buddies came to lots of stopovers (@mybmwadventures, @sportfahrer, @emils.garage), and these enthusiasts were truly inspired photographers. The journey goes on into the Rhineland and then to Belgium: Watch this space!

View all the pictures and read all the stories at the Instagram tag #winterwithinka:

60 YEARS OF MINI MODEL DIVERSITY

HOW THE DREAM OF BEING A RACING DRIVER CREATED A FANTASTIC WORKSHOP.

This is one of those American dishwasher soap operas, but with spanners instead of dishwashing brushes. After he finished his studies, John Becker desperately wanted to be become a racing driver. He went out and bought a Mini Cooper but he only had a sketchy idea of the ins and outs – and he ended up running out of money. Then he found a very successful way out of the dilemma by founding a specialist workshop for classic Minis. Today, Becker owns six classic Minis. His pride and joy is an exceptionally rare 1967 Mini Moke. This fair-weather off-road beach hopper has meanwhile been completely dismantled and authentically rebuilt. Becker recommends taking a replacement fuel pump for long trips.

MEET BMW GROUP CLASSIC

FRIDAY IS CLASSIC DAY: NEW TOURS THROUGH OUR COLLECTION.

Not everybody likes to visit exhibitions in a tour group – you have to keep up with the tour and the guide might be just that bit too slick. Trust me, it’s going to be different here. Anybody who has gone on a tour through our stupendous collection of vehicles with one of the expert tour guides from BMW Group Classic can vouch for this. You’ll end up with lots of gripping stories and a wealth of new facts at the end of the tour. And now, visitors can also go on Friday afternoons as well as the traditional Saturday slot (English tour at 14.00, tour in German at 15:30). There are 20 places available on each of the tours and they can be booked on the hotline (+49 (0) 89 / 1 25 01 60 01) or by going to infowelt@bmw-welt.com. Incidentally: We love tricky questions!

More details on the website of BMW Group Classic: