• Part of The Bavarian Legends Collection
• Hailed by BMW as “the car that saved the company”
• A desirable Coupé variant of Michelotti’s masterpiece in miniature
• Powered by a 697 cc flat-twin engine allied to a four-speed manual transmission

Please note this lot has entered the EU on a temporary import bond, which must be cancelled either by exporting the lot outside of the EU on an approved Bill of Lading with supporting customs documentation or by paying the applicable VAT and import duties to have the lot remain in the EU.

Bitte beachten Sie, dass dieses Fahrzeug mit einer vorübergehenden Einfuhrgenehmigung in die EU eingeführt wurde, die entweder durch die Ausfuhr des Fahrzeugs aus der EU mit einem genehmigten Frachtbrief und den entsprechenden Zollunterlagen oder durch die Zahlung der geltenden Mehrwertsteuer und Einfuhrzölle aufgehoben werden muss, damit das Fahrzeug in der EU verbleiben kann.

Despite its diminutive size, the BMW 700 is one of the most significant models in the Munich firm’s illustrious history. Conceived by automotive engineer and BMW importer Wolfgang Denzel and styled by none other than Giovanni Michelotti, the microcar was responsible for guiding BMW through one of the manufacturer’s most turbulent periods. The model accounted for 58 per cent of BMW’s revenue in its first full year of production, and its success is credited with staving off a potential takeover by rival Mercedes-Benz.

The 700 represented forward-thinking design from the outset, with a steel monocoque chassis—a BMW first—housing a rear-mounted 697 cc flat-twin based on that of the R67 motorcycle. Both Coupé and Saloon versions made their debut at the 1959 Frankfurt Motor Show, garnering interest that led to some 35,000 examples being built in 1960.

Chassis 166540 was first registered on 21 November 1960. The car changed hands in 1972, 1973, and 1975, always staying in the Essen area of Germany. It remained with its fourth owner for 37 years. The car was finally sold to an Isselburg-based enthusiast in October 2012, before going on to enter the consigning owner’s collection, where it has formed part of a museum exhibition. As a result of its time spent on static display, this car will require mechanical inspection prior to returning to road use.To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mu22.