Bonhams World Record Spring Sale
Three classic motorcycles each achieved world record auction prices during The Spring Stafford Sale on April 27-28, at The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show in Stafford, UK.
Leading the excitement among competitive bidders was a 1962 Triumph TR6SS ridden by Bud Ekins, the stunt double of Steve McQueen in The Great Escape. The motorcycle achieved a Bonhams world record price for the model of £97,750 ($125,704), over three times its top estimate.
The next record breaker was a 1925 Coventry Eagle Flying-8, a rare example of a vintage overhead valve 981cc V-Twin. A lady bidder won the auction, paying £218,500 ($285,457).
James Stensel, Head of Bonhams Collectors’ Motorcycles, said: “What an incredible weekend! We are thrilled with the results of this sale, not only breaking our own auction record but also achieving three world auction records for individual marques and models.
“This sale,” Stensel said, “our largest to date, with over 400 collectors’ motorcycles offered, proves that machines with fantastic history, originality and pedigree will always achieve record prices.”
Other highlights of this weekend’s sale include:
- A strong performance from a quartet of pre-war Brough Superiors, led by a 1926 Brough Superior 986CC SS100 Alpine Grand Sports that sold for £207,000 ($270,433)
- The weekend’s most surprising result, according to Bonhams, was achieved by an unrestored 1949 Parkin-Vincent 998CC Black Shadow which competed in the 1985 Manx Grand Prix and sold for £62,100 ($81,129)
The Bonhams two-day sale included more than 100 individual marques and 200 lots of motorcycle spares and associated memorabilia. According to Bonhams, this reflects the strength of the classic motorcycle market.
For additional information, visit Bonhams.