An ultra-rare and highly important Münch-URS Grand Prix racing motorcycle will feature in Bonhams' annual sale at the 'Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show' in Stafford on 22 October 2006, starring alongside the Jim Redman ex-works Honda 250cc RC164, (full press release available). There will be an opportunity to view and photograph both these machines at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on 7 - 9 July when they will be on display in the Bonhams' marquee.
Offered for sale following a painstaking 10-year restoration by its German engineer owner, the Münch-URS is one of two machines built by the Münch factory for the 1970 Grand Prix season and ridden by Ferdinand Kaczor and Karl Hoppe.
The Münch factory's Grand Prix project had resulted from an alliance with two-times World Sidecar Champion, Helmut Fath, whose second world title in 1968 had been gained riding a machine of his own design and manufacture. Fath's URS sidecar outfit was powered by an advanced 500cc four-cylinder engine, designed in collaboration with engineer Dr Peter Kuhn, that seemed tailor-made to challenge the might of MV Agusta in Grand Prix racing's premier solo class. Indeed, Münch was not the first to come to this conclusion - a couple of years earlier, Colin Seeley had built an URS-powered solo for John Blanchard to ride, on which the latter finished 4th at the 1967 Ulster Grand Prix.
British-made Rickman frames were used by the Münch-URS team, whose first race was at the (non-Championship) Austrian Grand Prix on 29th April 1970. It was a dream debut: Kaczor winning the race with Hoppe 2nd, although it must be said that the opposition was not a strong as it would have been at World Championship level. Nevertheless, Hoppe's Münch-URS managed an impressive 4th place at the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim a week later. Sadly, after this promising start the project fell apart; Fath left following a disagreement with Friedl Münch, taking rider Kaczor with him, and Münch's dreams of Grand Prix glory turned to dust. There were a few more outings for the Münch-URS solo - Yorkshireman Tony Jefferies rode a 750cc version in 1971 - but what should have been a credible challenge to the dominance of MV remains one of Grand Prix racing's more fascinating 'might-have-beens'.
Freshly rebuilt and in running condition, this Münch-URS was one of the star attractions at Mallory Park's Bonhams-sponsored 50th Anniversary International Post-TT meeting on 10-11 June. Although the precious machine did not take to the track, it never failed to gather an appreciative audience whenever it was started, the crowds delighting in the distinctive, ear-splitting bark from the four megaphone exhausts.
Estimate £130,000 - 160,000
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