With 190 collectors’ motorcycles and more than 100 lots of motorcycle memorabilia and spares, Bonhams motorcycle department says there will be a feast of veteran and vintage machines at its Spring Stafford Sale (26 April).
James Stensel said veteran motorcycles rarely appeared for sale publicly, so the examples offered provided a rare opportunity. Bikes include a 1911 Douglas 2¾hp Model D (£7000-10,000), a 1913 New Hudson 6hp ‘Big Six’ (£15,500-£18,500), and a c.1916 Norton 490cc Model 8 ‘Brooklands Road Special’ (£13,000-£18,000), pictured.
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One of the highlights of the sale, a 1939 Vincent HRD Series-A Rapide (£220,000-£260,000), was once rescued from a scrapyard and has more recently been the subject of a seven-year restoration.
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Further Vincent highlights include the 1955 Vincent 998cc Black Shadow Series-D (£40,000-£50,000), with one owner for the last 52 years; with one owner from new, the 1955 Vincent 998cc Black Shadow Series-D, With Prince Bodywork (£40,000-£50,000); in Chinese Red, the 1955 Vincent 998cc Rapide Series-D (£30,000-£36,000), and an entrance model 1950 Vincent 499cc Comet (£8000-£10,000).
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There’s a 1937 Brough Superior 1096cc 11-50hp (£30,000-£40,000), a 1933 Brough Superior 1096cc 11-50hp Project (£10,000-£12,000), 1930 Brough Superior OHV 680 Black Alpine (£70,000-£100,000), and a 1926 Coventry Eagle 980cc Flying Eight (£80,000-£120,000).
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Among American motorcycles is a 1928 Indian Type 401 (£65,000-£70,000) and a 1925 Henderson 1301cc De Luxe Four (£30,000-£40,000).
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As reported previously, former Top Gear duo James May and Richard Hammond are both looking to downsize their motorcycle collections, offering 12 machines for the upcoming sale, many without reserve.