Vincent breaks world record at Stafford Show

The final big show of the classic bike season went off with a bang, as the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show at Stafford Showground notched up another hit weekend. Race legends Carl Fogarty and Frankie Chili wowed the crowds with stories from their incredible careers – and they were joined by two of their famous race bikes, too. Carl Fogarty’s Ducati 916 and Frankie Chili’s Ducati 998.5 were displayed together, bringing back memories of their fierce on-track rivalry. Those Ducati factory machines carried both legends to some of their greatest triumphs: Fogarty cementing his legacy as a four-time WSBK champion on the 916 and Chili achieving 17 WSBK race wins on his bike.

The show also featured a charity auction, in which Chili’s infamous pit-lane dressing gown was sold, with proceeds going to the NSPCC children’s charity.

Exhibition manager Nick Mowbray said, “We couldn’t be happier with how this year’s show has gone. Carl Fogarty and Frankie Chili were a fantastic addition to the weekend, and it was clear that the crowds loved seeing them here. It’s great to see the passion for classic bikes continuing to grow.”

At the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show, Bonhams’ motorcycle department presented 395 lots of collectors’ motorcycles, memorabilia, and spares at The Autumn Stafford Sale. The two-day sale generated a total of £3,236,000 with an impressive 92% sell-through rate. The auction attracted 1250 bidders from more than 36 countries, with many participating in person, over the phone, online, or via the Bonhams app.

The top-selling lot was a 1936 Vincent-HRD 998cc Series-A Rapide, the second example ever produced and the oldest surviving complete model. This meticulously restored motorcycle, which debuted at the 1936 Olympia Motorcycle Show, set a new world record price of £322,000. Sales of Vincent marque bikes totalled more than £600,000.

The second highest-selling bike was a 1928 Brough Superior SS100 from a deceased estate, which sold for £161,000. In third place was a 1974 Ducati 750SS that fetched £140,300.

Two limited-edition Triumph motorcycles, inspired by the bikes used in the 25th James Bond film, No Time To Die, were also highlights of the sale. Gifted by Daniel Craig to raise funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the motorcycles raised a total of £60,000. The Scrambler 1200 Bond Edition sold for £28,000, while the Tiger 900 Bond Edition fetched £32,000.

Ben Walker, motorcycle department director, noted that the market for collectors’ motorcycles remained strong despite international economic and political uncertainties. He attributed the success of the auction to high-quality consignments, well-researched history, a beautifully presented catalogue, competitive estimates, and the auction’s conjunction with a renowned motorcycling event.