More than 400 collector motorcycles representing at least 100 brands, including a broad selection of vintage competition bikes, will be offered at Bonhams’ Spring Stafford Sale, scheduled for April 27-28 at the Staffordshire County Showground in the UK.
Held in conjunction with the 39th Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show, the auction was extended to two days this year to accommodate the large influx of consignments, including those from important collections, according to a Bonhams news release.
“The two-day sale will represent the A-Z of motorcycling, offering more than 100 individual marques and 200 lots of motorcycle spares and associated memorabilia, reflecting the strength of the classic motorcycle market,” Bonhams said in the release.
The collections include:
• The R.J. Gardiner Collection of mostly ex-works competition motorcycles.
• The Sant Hilari Collection of significant MX and endure motorcycles, all offered at no reserve.
• The Mike Taylour Collection from the noted late collector of “Black Ariels.”
• An Important European Colllection of 15 technically interesting vintage motorcycles.
Motorcycle highlights at the auction include:
• 1962 Triumph 649cc TR6SS Trophy ridden by famed American racer Bud Ekins to a gold medal in the International Six Days’ Trial, authenticated by Ekins and offered with a 1962 ISDT poster and class-win cup. Ekins is remembered today as actor Steve McQueen’s friend and movie stunt double who performed the famous motorcycle fence jump as McQueen’s character in the movie The Great Escape. Estimated value: £20,000 to £30,000 ($26,000 to $39,000).
• 1928 OK Supreme 250cc racer believed to have been ridden to victory in the 1928 Isle of Man Lightweight TT by champion rider Frank Longman. Powered by a JAP engine, the bike is valued at £50,000 to £70,000 ($66,000 to $92,000).
• 1926 Brough Superior 986cc SS100 Alpine Grand Sports, known as the “Rolls-Royce of motorcycles” for its design, performance and engineering excellence, powered by a JAP KTOR competition engine. Valued at £140,000 to £180,000 ($180,000 to $240,000).
• 1928 BMW 55cc R57, one of 1,012 examples made of the overhead-valve sports roadster. Valued at £55,000 to £75,000 ($72,000 to $98,000).
• 1982 Suzuki 998cc XR69 TT Formula 1 works racer offered for sale by its rider, seven-times Isle of Man TT winner Mick Grant, who was given the machine by Suzuki when he retired in 1985. Valued at £90,000 to £120,000 ($120,000 to $160,000).
• 1969 Honda CB750 “sand cast,” a very early example from shortly after the revolutionary 4-cylinder bikes debuted at the 1968 Tokyo Motor Show. These were so-named because of their sand-cast crankcases, whereas subsequent CB750s had die-cast cases. Valued at £24,000 to £28,000 ($31,000 to $37,000).
• 1976 MV Agusta 789cc 750S America, restored in 2018 and incorporating a Magni chain-drive conversion. Valued at £50,000 to £70,000 ($65,400 to $91,500).
For more information about the Bonhams motorcycle sale, visit the auction website.
