Forget The 2 Series And Give Us This 1959 BMW R60 With Sidecar

BMW keeps making smaller cars. And a handful of open convertibles, too. But looking at this vintage motorcycle, we’d be tempted to go with two wheels instead. Or three, as the case may be.

It’s a classic 1959 BMW R60, and it comes complete with matching TR500 sidecar from Steib. The appendage was installed by the factory, so it matches perfectly. The sidecar even has its own hydraulic brake. And it also has a pair of Hella spotlights mounted on factory brackets – a rather rare feature, we understand.

One of BMW Motorrad‘s most iconic models, the R60 was designed from the get-go to mount a sidecar – even if most US models weren’t so fitted. It’s powered by a 594cc boxer twin, producing 30 horsepower. It even had a shaft final drive and electronic ignition.

Call It a BMW Zen-3

John and Silvia in “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” rode one from Minnesota to San Francisco. And Danny Liska rode his in the 1960s from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, and from the North Cape in Europe to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.

This example has been comprehensively restored from the ground up. Even the red leather – oh, that beautiful red leather – in the sidecar looks as pristine as can be. No wonder it won prizes, like first place at the 2012 Del Mar Concours and the Judges Choice Award at the 2013 La Jolla Concours. It even has the original sales receipt, tonneau cover, and windscreen for the sidecar.

Like what you see? Then we have good news, because it’s coming up for sale. Mecum Auctions will sell it off at the beginning of next month at its motorcycle sale in Las Vegas.