HJ Pugh of Ledbury, Herefordshire, declared its 19-20 September motorcycle auction was the firm’s biggest ever since setting up in business in 1990. The open sale of motorcycles and parts lots grossed just under £900,000, equalling the previous best bike sale.
Henry Biss, a partner in HJ Pugh, said: “We attracted 350 motorcycles and 900 parts and projects – 1250 lots in total. It was our biggest motorcycle auction yet, and our biggest in terms of off-road machines too. Only 50 lots failed to sell. We are very pleased with the results.”
Auction top seller: c1955 Vincent Rapide/Black Shadow needing work – £23,016 including chargesThe top seller was a 1955 Vincent Rapide 1000cc V-twin project with a Black Shadow engine, at £21,000 (hammer, subject to an 8% premium plus VAT on the premium, totalling £23,016). This bike was owned by the same family for 45 years.
The main attraction was the Dave Curtis Collection, which featured 45 motorcycles, as well as more than 100 automobilia lots (automobilia items sold at a 12.5% premium). These lots were mainly off-road, Curtis having been a works Matchless scrambler rider from 1954 to 1962 and a 1958 British moto cross champion.
Now aged 94, the former dealer, Dave Curtis Motorcycles, Bicester, Oxfordshire, decided earlier this year that it was time to let his private museum collection go to pastures new. Like most lots at this sale, they were entered with no reserve and so all found new homes. His top seller was a glorious 1967 750 Norton P11 road twin, selling for £7672, including charges.