Compiled with help from experts at Bonhams Auction House, the most valuable classic motorbikes in the UK have been revealed. The selection of rare models from British motorcycle history dates back almost a full century, with some bikes now worth over 1000 times their original price. Any enthusiast or collector lucky enough to own one of these classics could find themselves sitting on a small fortune. So, without further ado, let’s run through the list…
1927 Brough Superior 981cc SS100 Alpine Grand Sport Project
Part of the unique sports models that were nicknamed the ‘The Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles’, and became synonymous with high performance and engineering quality. It was made from the best available components of the time, sourced by the perfectionist George Brough himself. These days the model is a huge hut with collectors, with an estimated worth of around £259k.
1951 Vincent Black Lightning
This classic currently hold the world record for the most expensive motorcycle ever sold at auction. Last year, a 1951 Vincent Black Lightning was bought for a staggering figure, at over £706,000 at a Bonhams auction in Las Vegas. Only around 30 models were ever built and one of those was actually used to set Australia’s land speed record of 141.5 mph.
1951 Vincent White Shadow
This unique speedster currently ranks as the 9th highest-selling motorcycle at auction – at a price of over £329,000. Out of the 1,507 Vincent Series C Black Shadows that were originally built, only 15 were produced with the unpainted and polished engine cases, which gave them the name “White Shadow.”
1939 Vincent-HRD 998cc Series-A Rapide
The ultra-rare Series-A Rapide also makes this list, as the classic has certainly increased in value since being sold in 1939 for around £432. It’s thought that only around 70 or so were ever produced between late 1936 and 1939, and one model sold at auction a few years ago for over £270,000.
1932 Brough Superior 800cc Model BS4 Project
This Brough Superior originally sold for around £188 back in 1932, and his since massively increased in value. Although there’s plenty of restoration work to be done to make one of the Model BS4’s road worthy, one did sell for over £331,000.
1929 Brough Superior 968cc SS100
Yes, there seems to be a common trend here, with yet another “Rolls-Royce of motorcycles” coming in at a huge sale price of over £315,000. The SS100’s £180 sale price has appreciated by 3,000%.
1939 Brough Superior 990cc SS100
This next Brough Superior was originally attached to a sidecar and actually participated in the London to Edinburgh endurance race. You could still spot the motorcycle on the roads until 1967, and models are now estimated to be worth over £250,000.
1934 Brough Superior 996cc SS100
The 1934 version of this classic motorcycle model underwent a full restoration in 2004, and with a current price in excess of £240,000; the bike is now worth around 1,300 times its original value.
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