Taking place alongside the 38thCarole Nash International Classic Motorcycle Show, Bonhams’ Spring Stafford Sale saw 300 historic motorbikes go under the hammer, realising a total of £3,376,045.
In total, 92% of the lots entered for sale found new owners, with the highest individual sale being a 1931 Brough Superior SS100, a 981cc V-twin which exceeded its estimate and sold for £264,700 after attracting the attention of six bidders.
The auction featured 42 bikes from the estate of the late collector Miklos Salamon, with two achieving world record prices for their type. His Clymer Münch 1,177cc TTS ‘Mammoth’ from 1970 sold for £154,940, while his 1973 MV Agusta 750S fetched £96,700. All bikes from the Salamon collection sold, including a 1950 Vincent 998cc ‘Chinese Red’ Touring Rapideand his 1940 Indian 78ci Four. The hammer dropped on both bikes for £68,700.
One surprise from the show was a 1974 Ducati 750SS project bike, which sold to a bidder in the room for £106,780, more than three times its pre-sale estimate. The early example of the round case Desmo attracted huge interest in the room, suggesting that interest in the Italian marque is only going to continue to rise.
Ben Walker, International Department Director at Bonhams, commented: “We are delighted to open the UK motorcycle auction season with such strong results. The range of lots on offer was extensive and far-reaching, from barn find projects to vintage machines and modern superbikes – all achieving impressive prices. With some 300 machines in the sale, Bonhams demonstrated the breadth of its expertise and we were thrilled to break several world records and set a new precedent on values.”
Malcolm Barber, Co-Chairman of Bonhams and the auctioneer of the sale, added: “Once again, our Spring Stafford Sale has been a record-breaker. The huge spread of machines brought in interest from all corners of the globe, and we were delighted with the strong 92% sell-through rate.”
Less glamorous bikes for sale included a 1984 Honda Express Deluxe moped, which found a new owner for £138, and a 2002 Ducati ST4S for £2070.
As well as bikes, there were plenty of spares and memorabilia going under the hammer, including a 1978 Ron Haslam Kangol helmet, which sold for £275.
