Such was the variety of the sale at the National Motorcycle Museum, lots ranged from a 1914 Juno to a 2010 Aprilia RSV4R, with all decades in-between covered.
The lot achieving the highest price on the day, a 1951 Vincent Rapide Series C, came from 12 years in an Isle of Man collection, covering a mere 600 miles in that time. The bike’s interesting history helped it achieve a fantastic final sale price of £31,050, more than twice of its pre-sale estimate.
“After pulling together such a fantastic catalogue of scooters and motorcycles, we’re very proud and delighted to achieve a fantastic sales rate of 88 percent in our first two-wheel sale of the year,” comments Mike Davis, head of department, H&H Classics. “As always, there was a great atmosphere in the packed sale room with some spirited bidding battles that helped vendors achieve some amazing results.”
One of the oldest motorcycles offered on the day was a 1917 Sunbeam 8hp V-twin. The stalled project had recently been found in a coal bunker and its ‘as found’ condition didn’t deter bidders, eventually being hammered away after an international bidding battle for an impressive £10,580.
From the inter-war period, a 1933 Excelsior racer, boasting works forks, frame and tank fired-up bidders enough to see the hammer fall at £13,800. A 1934 Rudge 500 Special, pulled from a barn after 60 years storage and subsequently restored, was successfully sold for £7,820. Meanwhile, recently found in a loft and presenting its new owner with a project, a c.1932 Coventry Eagle Silent Superb was bought for £575.
Slightly later successes included a restored 1940 Triumph 3HW that more than doubled its lower estimate, selling for £6,670, and an older-restoration 1952 Triumph Trophy, still presenting very well, which sparked enough interest to see the hammer fall at £6,440.
More recent offerings included a 1976 Kawasaki Z900A4 selling for £9,430 and a 1979 Honda CBX 1000, coming from 40 years ownership, which was bought for £10,350.
“I’d like to thank everyone who entrusted us with one of their motorcycles or scooters for this sale and I offer my congratulations to those successful bidders who are riding off with a new addition to their collection,” adds Davis.
H&H Classics’ next motorcycle and scooter sale will be held at the National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull, on Wednesday 3 July.
Meanwhile the firm’s next classic, collectible and performance car auction will be held at the Pavilion Gardens, Buxton on Wednesday 24 April.
To find out more about any of H&H’s sales, to consign a vehicle or to view the lots on offer, visit www.handh.co.uk.
More auction news can be found on our dedicated page here: Motorcycle Auction News
For more info on H&H Classics head to their website: https://www.handh.co.uk/
