This 1894 Hildebrand & Wolfmüller motorcycle is the the first-ever patented ‘motorrad’ and is the last thing bike and enthusiasts would love to lay their hands on.
Bonhams auctioned this the 1894 Hildebrand & Wolfmüller and I am sure it gave goose bumps to those who cherish the ultimate engineering masterpieces and automotive designs.
In Munich, this essential piece of motorcycle history was manufactured by H&W and it was the first powered two-wheeler to enter series production.
At the weekend (April 25), the first-ever series produced motorcycle was for sales at Bonhams Important Pioneer, Vintage and Collectors’ motorcycles.
The Hildebrand brothers, Wilhelm and Heinrich, were among many engineers to experiment with steam power, then turning it into a two-stroke gasoline engine.
In partnership with his mechanic, Hans Geisenhof and Alois Wolfmüller, the quartet succeeded in producing a water-cooled, four-stroke parallel twin capable of displacing 1,488cc still the largest power unit ever fitted to a motorcycle, until recent times.
There had been steam-driven “boneshakers” on both sides of the Atlantic.
Auctioned with an estimate of £40,000-60,000, this essential piece sold for £86,200, inclusive of buyer’s premium.