Bonhams unveils 180+ lot Sumer Sale

Words and photos courtesy Bonhams Press Service

Bonhams Motorcycles eagerly awaited Summer Motorcycle Sale from their dedicated facility in Milton Keynes. Is scheduled for June 14–24, and features an incredible array of collectors’ motorcycles with celebrity ownership, high-performance pin-up ‘race replica’ superbikes, and golden era vintage motorcycles with significant provenance, as well as a treasure trove of truly remarkable project motorcycles, new old stock spares and rare memorabilia. Bidding will take place online and is complemented by a public, in-person viewing, on Wednesday, June 19. 

Highlights of the sale include the 1957 Ariel 998cc Square Four owned by legendary British actor Sir David Jason cherished by him for over three decades. Renowned for his enduring presence on screen spanning over six decades, Sir David Jason, best known for his iconic portrayal of Del Boy in the beloved series “Only Fools and Horses,” believes it’s time for this remarkable Square Four to find a new owner”. Personally rebuilt by Sir David himself, the Ariel features several intriguing modifications, including a swinging-arm conversion and a Grimeca four-leading shoe front brake, presenting a rare opportunity to own a piece of history.

Accompanying Del’s Ariel is a wonderfully presented Voxan ‘Black Magic’ that was formally owned by the late Chris Cornell, who in the 1990’s fronted iconic bands such as Sound Garden and Audioslave and graced the James Bond film Casino Royale with the powerful theme song ‘You Know My Name’. The Voxan was gifted by Chris to the current vendor and good friend who has cherished it as part of his collection. 

Ever since the birth of the motorcycle industry, manufacturers have capitalised on competition successes by offering race replicas, with the old adage, ‘Win on Sunday. Sell on Monday,’ leading to increased sales. Currently displaying a total of 11,074miles to the odometer, the wonderful time warp 1988 Suzuki RG500 in the sale showcases the iconic ‘Pepsi’ livery and is available for restoration after being recently discovered as part of a deceased estate.

Meanwhile, the 2009 Ducati 990cc Desmosedici RR ‘Team Version’ stands as perhaps the closest experience for a true enthusiast to own an authentic Grand Prix motorcycle. Ducati’s road-legal homage to its MotoGP racer stunned the motorcycle community upon its debut at the Misano circuit in 2004, boasting a maximum output of 188bhp, which soared to a remarkable 200bhp when equipped with the supplied race pipe. Number ‘1338’ out of the 1,500 produced, this example displays a mere 2,806miles, presenting a rare opportunity to possess one of the most iconic race replicas of the 21st century, a true ‘collector’s piece’.

 The Bonhams Motorcycle team are renowned for their expertise in handling the sale of heavyweight British v-twin royalty, and their Summer Sale includes a plethora of Vincent and Brough Superior motorcycles, dismantled projects and hard to find spares. Highlights include:

Matching-numbers, two owners from new, exceptionally original and unrestored, 1955 Vincent 998cc Black Knight (estimate: £18,000 – 25,000)

Matching-numbers, four owners from new, 1954 Vincent 998cc Rapide-Series-D (estimate: £20,000 – 25,000)

1949/1951 Vincent 998cc Rapide Restoration Project (estimate: £8,000 – 12,000) 

First owned by Brough Superior’s General Manager, Ike Webb, c.1922 Brough Superior 996cc MkI/SS80 ‘Special’ (estimate: £60,000 – 80,000)

1937 Brough Superior 11-50 & Watsonian Cruiser Motorcycle Combination (estimate: £45,000 – 55,000)

Included within the 120+ lots of the Motorcycle Project, Spares, and Memorabilia section is arguably one of the most remarkable barn find discoveries of recent decades, showcasing a vast collection of New Old Stock spares and dismantled projects. A standout among these lots is the Triumph TRW Motorcycle Project (estimate: £1,500 – £2,000), offering a rare chance to assemble a model of Triumph’s legendary motorcycle. Originating from the immediate post-WW2 years to fulfil British Government contracts for a new military motorcycle, it comprises almost entirely New Old Stock components.