BMW's HISTORY

Karl Rapp establishes Rapp-Motorenwerke in a former bicycle factory near Munich. He begins manufacturing his own aircraft engines. They suffer from problems with vibration that Rapp is unable to fix, so he switches to building Austro-Daimler aircraft engines under license.

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Martin Stolle (center) designs the M2 B 15 engine for the "Victoria" model motorcycle. BMW's first motorcycle engine

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The air-cooled radial engine is much in demand in the early Thirties, thanks to its excellent power/weight ratio.

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Made to order: for the Mille Miglia, BMW commissions a streamlined body made of a new, ultra-light aluminum/magnesium alloy.

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The BMW R 51/2, BMW's first motorcycle with a Boxer engine, goes into production.

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A best-seller: on July 15, 1960, the 20,000th BMW 700 leaves the factory.

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Still in the model stage: first step in the construction of the "Four Cylinders," BMW's head office in Munich.

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Debut for the mass-production Enduro R 80 G/S: this newly styled bike is the first to be equipped with BMW's single swing-arm "monolever". Weight is reduced and maintenance is easier.