Description
This motorcycle is Lot 423 to be auctioned by Bonhams at The Autumn Stafford Sale (The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show) on 12 & 13 October, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Auction Timings:
Lots 1 - 176 are to be sold from 11:00 on Saturday 12th October 2024.
Lots 201 - 429 are to be sold from 11:00 on Sunday 13th October 2024.
Public Viewing:
Available 12th & 13th October 2024 from 09:00 until 17:00, at The Stafford County Showground (The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show).
Lot 423
1970 Münch 1200 TTS 'Mammoth'
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 116
Engine no. 116
Ultra-rare limited edition superbike
Sold new in Germany
Only 33, 485 kilometres recorded
Requires recommissioning/ restoration
In 1965 Friedel Münch, formerly with the Horex racing department, was approached by wealthy French ex-sidecar racer Jean Murit with a simple brief: build a no-expense-spared 'superbike', though the latter term had yet to be coined. Münch found his ideal engine in the form of the air-cooled overhead-camshaft four powering the recently introduced NSU Prinz car. For Murit's machine he used the 1, 000cc TT sports version of this engine which, tuned for 60bhp, proved capable of propelling the bulky Mammoth to a top speed of 120mph. Nothing too remarkable there you might think, but while several contemporary production motorcycles could achieve a similar maximum, it was the Mammoth's ability to accelerate powerfully from 20mph in top gear and cruise all day at 110mph that set it apart from the herd.
The engine was housed in a cradle frame inspired by the Manx Norton, and to keep the weight down Münch made extensive use of Elektron magnesium alloy, which was used for the gearbox shell, rear chain case, fork sliders and brakes. The result was a commendably low dry weight for the prototype of 433lbs, though production versions would weigh considerably more. Elephant Rally founder and Das Motorrad journalist Ernst Leverkus rode the bike in 1966 and the resulting worldwide publicity provoked a rush of orders. The production Mammoth (the name would later be dropped for copyright reasons) first appeared at the Cologne Show in September 1966, by which time the capacity had risen to 1, 085cc, power to 70bhp and the top speed close on 140mph. Hand built to individual customer order, the Mammoth eventually used the 1, 177cc version of the NSU four with power outputs of up to 104bhp. It is estimated that fewer than 500 machines of all types were built.
Currently displaying a total of 33, 485 kilometres on the odometer, this particular Mammoth comes with a list of its owners in the 1970s, of whom there were six (see Kraftfahrzeugbrief on file). Also on file is correspondence from Friedel Münch; various pieces of marque-related copy literature; a Münch TTS 1200 Brochure and pamphlet; copy owner's manual; and a spare parts catalogue.
Clearly unused for a considerable period, the machine will require careful recommissioning, or possibly more extensive restoration, before further use and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to the condition, completeness, authenticity and compatibility of this Lot's component parts prior to bidding.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams Motorcycles website for all pertinent auction information.
