A collection of rare classic motorcycles once owned by one of the world’s most dedicated enthusiasts is set to go under the hammer at an upcoming Bonhams auction, taking place alongside the 38th Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show at the Stafford Showground on Sunday 22 April.

The 40 bikes were owned by Miklos (Mike) Salamon, an entrepreneur in the mining industry, who died in October. The Hungarian born businessman was a passionate motorcyclist who dedicated his retirement to locating his dream motorcycles and enlisting the very best specialists to restore them on his behalf.

The result was a collection that wouldn’t be out of place in a 1970s game of Top Trumps. Among the highlights are a staggering Münch Mammoth, the appropriately named 996cc NSU car engined mammoth that was the fastest and most expensive bike in the world when it was introduced in 1966. Salamon’s 1970 example is the later 1177cc TTS model and is estimated to fetch between £75,000 and £100,000.

As well as the German giant, the collection includes a 1973 MV Agusta 750S that carries a £70,000 to £90,000 estimate, a 1940 Indian 78ci Four and a 1970 example of the Triumph Bonneville T120R that kickstarted his passion for motorcycles as a schoolboy.

Other highlights (with estimates) are:

– 1976 Kawasaki Z900 A4 (£8,000-12,000)

– 1977 Benelli 750cc Sei (£8,000-12,000)

– 1979 Honda CBX 1000Z (£10,000-14,000)

– 1965 BMW 594cc R69S (£10,000-14,000)

– 1974 Ducati 750 GT (£16,000-20,000)

Commenting on the collection, Bonhams’ Ben Walker said: “This collection represents the very pinnacle of motorcycle collecting, and illustrates the passion and dedication poured in to the motorcycles by Mike. Bonhams is thrilled to be offering such an incredible range of machines, especially ones which have been so lovingly looked after and used.”

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