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 1923
BMW R 32 Clinches Industry Award At Concours D'Elegance
A 1923 BMW R 32, the oldest known
BMW motorcycle in existence, received the Industry Award at the
Legend of the Motorcycle: International Concours d'Elegance.
The first world-class concours exclusively for motorcycles was
held Saturday, May 6 on the lush coastal lawns of the Ritz-Carlton
in Half Moon Bay, California. More than 4,500 participants from
five continents attended the inaugural event and raised more
than $22,000 for charitable organizations. While the concours
judging was limited to bikes produced before 1976, more than
250 motorcycles were on display, ranging from an 1895 Pennington
from British Columbia to a 2005 KTM Moto GP factory racer shipped
from Austria.
The Industry Award was presented to the BMW R 32 in recognition
of its historical impact on the motorcycle industry. Owner Evan
Bell said that he purchased the legendary R 32 motorcycle in
Berlin in 1977 and restored it for its 75th anniversary in 1998.
"It was really an honor to receive this award, considering
some of the finest motorcycle restorations in the world were
on display at this concours," observed Bell, who has owned
Irv Seaver Motorcycles in Orange, CA since 1979. Commenting on
the Industry Award, he added, "The R 32 truly represented
a turning point in motorcycle manufacturing at the time. It was
something completely different that has proven to withstand the
test of time."
The 494 cc, 8.5 hp R 32 BMW's first motorcycle made
its world debut at The Paris Motor Show in 1923. Designed by
Chief Engineer Max Friz, it featured a horizontally opposed,
four-stroke flat-twin, or "boxer" engine and shaft
drive. By 1926, more than 3,000 R 32 machines were produced,
despite the fact that, at 2,200 Reichmarks, it was more expensive
than its competitors. The two-wheeled sensation marked the beginning
of a legacy of technological innovation in the world of motorcycling,
and the simple, yet effective design of the boxer engine remains
at the heart of many BMW motorcycles today.
Mr. Bell's 1923 R 32 is one of two R 32s in his collection of
pre- and post-war motorcycles. His 1924 BMW R 32 has been on
display at the Art of the Motorcycle Exhibition at the Orlando
Museum since February. Six other restored motorcycles are hung
by cable across the front of his retailer showroom.
The Industry Award category was one of 16 classes and special
categories judged in the Legend of the Motorcycle: International
Concours d'Elegance. The following motorcycle industry executives
participated in judging the Industry Award:
Todd Andersen, Triumph
Erik Buell, Founder, Buell
Claudio Castiglioni, President, Cagiva
Arturo Pineiro, Vice-President, BMW Motorrad
Dan Van Epps, Ducati
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