In the grand history of motorcycles, some of the most fascinating bikes didn’t come from massive factories or decades-old racing programs. They came from stubborn optimism and a refusal to accept how things were usually done. That’s where Van Veen, a brand lots of us have never even heard of before, fits into the story.
And that's because Van Veen was never meant to be a household name.
Founded in the Netherlands, the company built its reputation as a distributor, most notably for Kreidler, during an era when European motorcycling was still finding its post-war footing. But Henk van Veen wasn’t content just selling other people’s ideas. He wanted to build what he believed could be the ultimate motorcycle of its time. That ambition led to one of the most unlikely production motorcycles ever built: the Van Veen OCR1000.
At the heart of the OCR1000 is a twin rotor Wankel engine developed by Comotor, a joint venture between German manufacturer NSU and French car maker Citroën. This wasn’t a motorcycle engine adapted from scratch. It was effectively an automotive powerplant, displacing 996cc, shoehorned into a purpose-built motorcycle chassis at a time when most big bikes were still relying on air-cooled pistons and carburetors.
On paper, it was wild. Around 100 horsepower at roughly 6,500rpm, which was a huge number in the late 1970s. Torque delivery was smooth and almost turbine-like, with none of the vibration that riders were used to from big four-stroke engines. Top speed was said to be around 135 miles per hour, putting it firmly in superbike territory for its era.
The rest of the bike was just as ambitious. There was the steel duplex frame, a shaft drive instead of a chain, triple disc brakes, and a curb weight hovering around 650 pounds. Heavy by today’s standards, yes, but also massively overbuilt in a way that reflected Van Veen’s mindset.
Now here’s where things get interesting for you and me. One of these ultra-rare machines is currently being offered at Mecum Auctions. This particular 1978 example shows just under 5,500 miles (8,853km) on the odometer and retains its distinctive green and black finish. With fewer than 40 OCR1000s ever completed, seeing one publicly offered at auction is a rare event on its own.
Back in the day, the OCR1000 was priced higher than many luxury cars, which helped seal its commercial fate. Fuel consumption was heavy, heat management was tricky, and when Comotor collapsed, the engine supply disappeared with it. Production ended, and the bike slipped into near-myth status.
So why does this matter now? Because this auction turns an untouchable museum piece into something real. In theory, this could be yours. Not as a perfect, rational purchase, but as a symbol of a time when motorcycle manufacturers were willing to gamble everything on a wild idea. Long before electronic rider aids and hybrid drivetrains, engineers were seriously asking whether pistons were even necessary. And the complete absence of a mass-produced rotary engine in today's motorcycle and automotive world is a clear answer to that question.
The Van Veen OCR1000 didn’t change the industry, and it never really intended to. But it pushed boundaries in a way that still resonates today, especially with electrification and alternative powertrains becoming more mainstream. And seeing one cross the Mecum block is a reminder that the most important motorcycles aren’t always the ones that raked in the most sales. Sometimes they’re the ones that dreamed the biggest, even if the world didn't really agree.
Source: Mecum Auctions
