Bonhams’ £3.6 million Stafford Motorcycle Auction breaks European sales record

STAFFORDSHIRE County Showground witnessed a record-setting motorcycle auction last weekend, as three Brough Superiors sold for a combined £704,500.

A complete Olympia Motorcycle Show 1937 Brough Superior 990cc SS100 went for £208,700, while a pair of Brough Superior 981cc SS100 Alpine Grand Sport projects reached £236,700 and £259,100 respectively.

The star lots contributed to a total weekend figure of £3.6 million worth of machines sold, an all-time high for Bonhams’ annual October event and the highest grossing motorcycle sale to ever take place in Europe.

Bonhams’ international director for collectors’ motorcycles Ben Walker said: “With great looks, excellent engineering and a prestigious reputation, it’s no surprise Brought Superior continues to prove popular.

“Enthusiasts are willing to spend strong figures for both complete bikes and restoration projects, and we’ve witnessed that today where a 1927 Brough Superior 981cc SS100 Alpine Grand Sport project was the highest grossing lot.”

Further notable lots included an ex-Steve McQueen 1934 Indian 750cc Sport Scout – £59,740; a 1971 Münch 1 177cc TTS ‘Mammoth’ which went for double its top estimate – £85,500 and a former TT 1932 Rudge 350cc Works Racing Motorcycle which attracted fevered bidding to see it realise more than seven times its top estimate – £70,940.

Former Top Gear host James May added a celebrity element to the auction room as he turned up to see four examples from his own collection go under the hammer. Top lot for Captain Slow was his 1967 Honda CB450 ‘Black Bomber’ which sold for £5980.

On Saturday, a collection of 60 rare, mainly American motorcycles – stored in a highly sought after personal collection – achieved a total of £1.3 million. Four-time Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel was among the crowd for the sale.

Bonhams co-chairman and auctioneer Malcolm Barber said: “We witnessed strong international bidding, with several American clients travelling to the sale, many European bidders in the audience and famous faces in the room; another great Stafford sale.”

Bonhams’ £3.6 million Stafford Motorcycle Auction breaks European sales record.