Classic British Motorcycles
More than 230 motorcycles will go on the block Sunday, April 24, during the International Classic Motorcycle Show in Staffordshire County Showground Sunday, and most will be of British descent. The collection will include the rarest motorcycles from Vincent, Coventry-Eagle, and Brough Superior.
Leading the pack of British Classic Motorcycles is a 1939 Vincent HRD 998cc Rapide Series-A Project, estimated at £150,000-200,000. The Vincent HRD is extremely rare – one of 78 manufactured. This bike, from “the makers of the world’s fastest motorcycles” built in Hertfordshire from 1928-1955, has matching numbers and is a rare TT-spec example.
The Victorian bicycle and motorcycle manufacturer Coventry-Eagle, which mainly used JAP engines from 1901 onwards, will also be featured, including a 1929 980cc Flying-8 OHV. This Coventry-Eagle offered is a rare vintage-era superbike. It was restored in 2007 and in present ownership since 2008. It is estimated at £140,000-160,000.
Bonhams says the sale also features nine rare models from Nottingham-based Brough Superior, including eight machines from the mysterious collection the “Broughs of Bodmin Moor”. Unveiled for the first time in more than 50 years, this unusual collection features the mythical ex-Hubert Chantrey, 1932 Brough Superior 800cc Model BS4, estimated at £80,000-120,000, arguably one of the most significant British motorcycles ever to come to auction. Also included in the collection are two exceptionally rare SS100s; a 1926 Brough Superior SS100 Project, estimated at £30,000-40,000 and a 1938 Brough Superior 982cc SS100 Project, estimated at £60,000-80,000.
James Stensel, Head of Department, Bonhams Motorcycles, says: “Only 10 examples of the BS4 left Brough’s Nottingham factory and just seven survive today, of which only three retain their original engines, making ‘GY 989’ exceedingly rare. Equally exciting is the ex-Henry Laird Demonstrator, 1938 Brough Superior 982cc SS100 estimated at £140,000-180,000, one of thirty-two Matchless SS100s produced for the 1938 season.
“Sunday’s motorcycle sale features more than 230 machines across 60 manufactures. Combined with Saturday’s 185 lots of Spares and Memorabilia (over 50% offered at no reserve), this year’s two-day Stafford sale is expected to attract the attention of enthusiasts and collectors from across the globe.”
Bonhams reports that Further highlights include several important post-war masterpieces, such as the ex-Honda press fleet, 1970 Honda CB750 ‘KO’ Sandcast, estimated at £20,000-30,000; the ex-Francis Williams, Ernie Woods, c.1959 Norton-JAP 998cc Sprinter ‘Thor’, estimated at £40,000-50,000; and the ex-Barry Sheene, Mick Grant, Heron Suzuki, 1983 Suzuki RGB500 Mark 8 Racing Motorcycle, estimated at £80,000-100,000.
For additional information, visit Bonhams.
