Stafford classic gains momentum

Recovery momentum was very evident at the International Classic Motor Cycle Show at the Stafford Showground (20-21 April) following the double blow of Covid and Brexit in 2020, which caused its cancellation that year.

The queue to get in on Saturday morning did not subside until 11.30am. Bonhams’ auction turnover was up compared with April last year – £3m/95% sell-through against £2.8m/88% in 2023) – and foreign accents began to be heard again.

The head of events company Classic Bike Shows, Nick Mowbray, said: “Club stands were up to 80 from 70 last year, Carole Nash insurance was back as the main show sponsor, and the sun was out. All very encouraging!”

Star guests were TV daredevil and former TT rider Guy Martin, and motorcycle dealer and eleven-time TT winner Phillip McCallen from Lisburn, Belfast. McCallen became a dealer in 2001 and now has franchises for Triumph (2002), Kawasaki (2005) and KTM (2008). He moved to his current purpose-built premises in 2010 and is a UK top ten Triumph dealer.

Indoor traders at the show included Jodi Kirkham and wife Jade on their Speedwear clothing stand, which was shared with Davida helmet manufacturer Dave Fiddaman, who is back on the scene with a new range following temporary closure as a result of Covid.
Among outdoor traders was Sam Jones of Stafford regulars Yeomans Motorcycles (est 1972), of Bromsgrove, Worcestershire. They used three vans and a trailer to transport 15 bikes to the show. Among them were three highly-prized Norton International singles.
Jones, a former rugby semi-pro and tree surgeon, is running the family business following the death of his father, Steve, who bought it in 1992. Jones is keen to keep up the Yeomans’ emphasis on original matching numbers of British bikes and original spares.
“We have 60 bikes in stock, and we have launched a website for spares, doing our best to source genuine original parts. We are taking on more commission sales and we plan to open a larger showroom in the summer,” he said.

“The pre-1940 market is strong in Europe. And there’s a growing trend for oily rag original bikes, especially Triumphs. I have a big personal collection, and many of my friends and the Bike Shed scene in London are getting into these types of classics,” added Jones, who attended his first bike show as a four-year-old.

Leading Italian event organizer-dealer-collector Alessandro Altinier couldn’t resist buying a bargain £10,000 Norton Manx in the Bonhams auction. Auction top seller was a 1938 Vincent-HRD 1000 V-twin at £228,850. And the amazing 48-cylinder 4200cc Whitelock Kawasaki special pictured in April BDN romped past £60,000 top estimate to make £92,000 (prices include premium). It is believed an American collector spent £400,000 on Vincents at the auction.