It is believed only three or possibly four of the R66 version came to Australia prior to WW2, through the dealer network of the time that consisted of J.N. Taylor (Adelaide), Finlay Bros (Victoria), Mortlock Bros (West Australia), Bennett & Wood (NSW and Queensland), and Sim King (Tasmania).
The overhead valve 595cc R66 broke cover in February 1938 at the Berlin Motor Show; one of four new models that included the OHV R51, and the side-valve R61 and R71. With an impressive 30 hp on tap, the R66 was touted as BMW’s first 600cc ‘sports’ model – a designation sometimes mistakenly ascribed to the 1952 R68. The R66 came into being as an amalgamation of the top end from the 494cc R5 and R51 OHV singles, grafted onto the bottom end of the R61 side valve with a wider cylinder base to house the pushrods. A single spur-driven camshaft replaced the R5’s two chain-driven camshafts, which were designed to cope