Bonhams Motorcycle Auction
Bonhams third annual sale of collectors’ motorcycles on June 18, held in conjunction with the VMCC’s Banbury Run at Bonhams Midlands base in Kidlington, Oxfordshire features a large and eclectic selection of machines, uncluding a 1950 Vincent Black Shadow/Rapide.
The Banbury Run is one of the world’s largest and most prestigious gatherings of Vintage motorcycles and there are many in the Bonhams auction eligible to enter this famous event. Among them is Lot 186: a 1911 Triumph 3½hp (£11,000-13,000), Lot 177: a 1922 Triumph 550cc Model H (£4,500-5,000) and Lot 187: a 1928 AJS 498cc Model K9 De Luxe estimated to sell for £6,000-8,000.
As always, the popular Vincent marque is well represented in the auction with a c.1950 Vincent 998cc Black Shadow/Rapide (Lot 190, £30,000-35,000), a 1952 Vincent 499cc Comet (£9,000-12,000) and a 1949 Vincent-HRD 500cc Meteor (£8,000-12,000) just a few of the examples on offer.
The demand for older trials and moto-cross machines has always been high, with riders of all ages taking part in ‘Pre-65′ and ‘Twin-Shock’ events. This auction sees a remarkable number of these machines on offer. The dirt bike line-up is headed by Lot 206, Jim Sandiford’s 1970 ISDT Gold Medal-winning, Cheney Triumph (£9,000-12,000). Other examples include Lot 197, a 1957 Ariel 499cc HT5, arguably one of the most capable of the ‘old school’ trials irons (£5,000-7,000) and Lot 204, a c.1965 ‘Petite’ Metisse fitted with a 410cc AJS Stormer engine (£5,000-6,000).
BMW motorcycles on offer include Lot 189, an unrestored 1938 597cc R66 ripe for restoration (£7,000-10,000) and a recently restored ex-French police 1969 594cc R60/2 (£7,000-9,000).
Ben Walker (Head of Bonhams Collectors’ Motorcycle Department) says: "It is a privilege and a pleasure to be holding another sale of Collectors’ Motorcycles in association with the VMCC and its world famous Banbury Run. The team looks forward to welcoming you back to the wonderful surroundings of our Oxford salerooms for another successful event.
"Please be sure to attend The Banbury Run on Sunday 19 June (The Heritage Motor Museum, Gaydon) for a magnificent display of Vintage motorcycles and riders, not forgetting to visit the Bonhams hospitality tent where the motorcycle team will be on hand to discuss, in confidence, any aspect of buying or selling motorcycles at our auction sales."
