The 2026 edition of the world-famous International Classic MotorCycle Show, sponsored by Carole Nash, proved to be a huge success with more than 20,000 classic bike enthusiasts taking the trip to the Staffordshire County Showground on the last weekend of April.
More than 600 trade stands were on site which, along with 100 motorcycle clubs, a Grand Prix paddock and one of the most talked about classic bike auctions of all time, saw more than 1000 classic and vintage motorcycles taking centre stage, along with motorcycling celebrities and Isle of Man TT aces John McGuinness and Dean Harrison – who were this year’s guests of honour.
The show followed the traditional Stafford formula, with static displays in the main hall and regular chat shows and meet and greets on the Carole Nash stage, while the sprawling trade areas, live action demonstrations, a classic bike cavalcade and loud classic bike start ups took place outdoors. With some stunning spring weather, the vibe was relaxed and visitors were able to enjoy the musical entertainment over a drink or two.
Considerable interest revolved around the Bonhams auction. The sale achieved a total of £4.208 million, with two iconic race bikes grabbing the headlines and contributing to over a third of the total revenue.
The standout lot was a genuine ex-works 1965 MV Agusta four-cylinder 500cc Grand Prix racer, ridden by Mike Hailwood and Giacomo Agostini. Estimated at £160,000–£220,000, it sold for £967,000 - a new auction world record for an Italian motorcycle, and the second-highest price ever paid for a motorcycle at auction worldwide.
Alongside this, Barry Sheene's 1977 world championship-winning works Suzuki RG500 XR14, which had not been seen in public for nearly 40 years, sold for £506,000 - a new world record for a Japanese motorcycle at auction.
After the event, Ben Walker, International Department Director at Bonhams Collectors' Motorcycles, commented: “The Bonhams Stafford Sale at the International Classic MotorCycle Show was a landmark event in the bike community that will be remembered by those who attended for years to come. We established two new world records and got very close to the outright world record for the auction sale price of a motorcycle.”
The International Classic MotorCycle Show, sponsored by Carole Nash, is one of two major classic bike shows held at the Stafford Showground each year.
All eyes are now on the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show, sponsored by Carole Nash, which takes place at the same venue on the weekend of 10-11 October. While the autumn event follows a similar format to the spring show, the focus tends more to be on more modern classics, with a big emphasis on ‘70s, ‘80s and even ‘90s Japanese machines.
Speaking about the shows, Emma Bedford, Event Director at Kelsey Media, said: “It was fabulous to bring the best of classic motorcycling together again at Stafford, with more than 20,000 classic bike enthusiasts coming together to celebrate with us.
We were honoured to host the record-breaking Bonhams auction, alongside our guest speakers, GP fire-ups, traders, clubs and the cavalcade. This is an established show with a huge, loyal visitor base and we are excited to start work on the next one in October, where visitors can expect to see some new and exciting features to delight them!”
