Bikes spanning a century of motorcycle history realized a result of £2.75 million at Bonhams’ most recent Stafford sale.
The auction on October 15 saw 95% sold by both lot and value, and automobilia achieving a 100% sell-through rate, on the way to a final total of £2,752,416.
Amongst the many highlights was the personal collection of Speedway legend Ivan ‘Millennium Man’ Mauger, which realized a total of over £140,000.
All 48 lots in Mauger’s collection were snapped up, including his 1977 Speedway World Championship Final-winning Jawa DOHC Four-valve Racing Motorcycle which sold for £17,250 and his 1971 Long Track World Final Jawa Racing Motorcycle which sold for £9,775.
Three of the auction’s top-selling lots were also the oldest on offer, each having been built more than 100 years ago.
First up was a superbly original 1914 Henderson 1,068cc Model C Four which sold for £113,500 against an estimate of £70,000 – £90,000; followed by a 1912 Pierce 644cc Model 12 Single which had remained in single family ownership for 101 years, which sold for £89,980, and a 1911 Pierce 688cc Four which sold for £107,900.
There were also strong results achieved by a pair of rare Vincents: a 1950 Vincent 998cc Series-C Black Shadow which sold for £79,900, and a 1949 example which realized £70,940.
Further notable lots included a 1932 Brough Superior 981cc SS80 De Luxe which sold for £107,900; a 1972 MV Agusta 750S which sold for £84,380; a 1978 MV Agusta 837cc Monza which sold for £66,460; and a Jorge Lorenzo 2007 World Championship-winning 2007 Aprilia 250cc RSW Grand Prix Racing Motorcycle which sold for £101,180.
"Sellers from across the globe continue to flock to Stafford, which remains the international hub for the sale of the world’s most important collectors’ motorcycles," said James Stensel, UK Head of Bonhams’ motorcycle department.
"Bonhams are the auction house of choice for significant one-owner collections, and no fewer than four were included in the auction, all of which performed strongly. This sale illustrates Bonhams continued market dominance, with an industry-leading percentage rate achieved by both lot and value."
