One of the last big auctions of 2025 was the Iconic Auction on 9 November – what did we learn?
Iconic boasted it was a success for classic cars, citing some impressive prices, but it was less certain for motorcycles.
A 1955 Vincent Series D Black Prince was the starring lot, passing its estimate by some £20,000 to fetch £52,900. Hmmm, in 2016 a Black Prince went for $120,000 in a US Mecum auction.
Even among classic Harleys, which usually stand up fairly well, a 1946 Harley-Davidson EL Knucklehead is said to have ‘exceeded expectations’ also achieving £52,900. Not a bad price at all, but not so long ago (ie, 2024) a Knucklehead would have been anything between $90,00 to $150,000.
Prices are resetting. Some might say ‘crashing’ for classic motorcycles but there are some signs of where the value lies. The usual rationale is that the buying generation of classic motorcycles is looking for bikes from about 30 years ago, ie mid-1990s these days. Guys hankering after a bike they had, or lusted after but couldn’t afford, in their youth.
You’d think that late 1980s and 1990s European and Japanese bikes would be setting the pace and it’s true, some are. But probably because of the sheer numbers of these well-made machines still in existence, only really good examples are holding up. Still, that means there are some great bikes for sale at very reasonable prices.
There’s another couple of elements at play. Obviously rarity, and here we’re talking about special models such as the 1950s/60s Matchless G80CS, the ‘Competition Suspension’ hotship version of Matchless’s 500cc single. It’s not hugely rare, but enough to stand out and achieve 20 to 30% higher prices at auction (and thus the market at large) than standard cooking ‘jam pots’.
The value of provenance
But the other element – and potentially more powerful – is provenance. By that I mean history that can be proved with a paper trail.
Taking that Matchless G80CS, a perfectly good example with no provenance but in nice condition is selling at around £4,500 to £5,000.
However, one with a proven link to Bud Ekins, renowned Californian motorcycle tuner and fettler – and friend of actor Steve McQueen – adds another 25% in value.
Let’s not devalue Bud Ekins here. Not only was he an excellent spannerman but he could ride well, especially off-road and in special circumstances. For instance, that famous jump over a barbed wire fence by Steve McQueen in The Great Escape movie? Actually, Bud Ekins was the rider, taking the place of his friend McQueen who was deemed too valuable for the stunt.
In fact, Bud Ekins became one of Hollywood’s most esteemed stunt men, taking McQueen’s place again driving in the Bullitt car chase and arranging the motorcycle stunts in 1970s cop series CHiPs (Californian Highway Patrol).
That said, what indicators can we see from the results at Iconic’s Classic Motor Show sale?
1966 Matchless G80CS Scrambler 498cc
Sold for £5,290
A classic British single-cylinder off-road racer reputed to have been built by legendary racer and stunt man, Bud Ekins. Now UK-registered and is supplied with a current V5C along with correspondence relating to Bud’s involvement with the bike.
This bike was built for desert racing from parts to a high standard and then sold at auction in the US shortly before Bud passed away. Now UK-registered with a current V5C along with correspondence relating to Bud’s involvement with the bike.
1955 Vincent Series D Black Prince 998cc
Sold for £52,900
One of the last Vincents to be registered, complete with Conway Motors (of Shepherds Bush, London) provenance and a large history file. Only 132 of these remarkable bikes completed produced by Phil Vincent as a ‘two-wheeled Bentley’.
The bike has been in Jim Richardson’s care since 2013 and was toured by Jim extensively up until he stopped using it in 2023
2006 MV Agusta F4 1000 Senna 998cc
Sold for: £18,400
#099 of the 300 LE bikes produced in 2006, totally original and unrestored. Complete with a large owner’s file, toolkit, paddock stand and both original keys. Just 1,961 recorded miles from new, MOT until July 2026 and the cherished registration number, MV04 SEN, is included in the sale.
1919 Triumph Type D TT Roadster 550cc
Sold for: £6,325
Triumph’s stripped-down and lightweight TT model, weighing in at only 191 lb with a direct belt drive. An older restoration but presented in good overall condition and a great piece of rideable Triumph history.
Fitted with a variable pulley gear system with direct drive. Extensively restored a few years ago including a full engine rebuild with new piston, valves, guides and bearings. Verified and known to the VMCC, it has competed on numerous Banbury Runs with a previous owner famously stating ‘no hill has beaten it yet’.
1946 Harley-Davidson EL ‘Knucklehead’ 1208cc
Sold for: £52,900
The ‘EL’ was an evolution of the 1935 61in ‘Knucklehead’. From the final year of production, this sought after 1946 example has benefited from a sympathetic restoration to a very good standard. Well presented, H-D enthusiast owned and complete with a history file.
1963 Matchless G15/45 750cc
Sold for £4,600
The G15/45 was a rare, short-lived 738cc parallel-twin produced by AMC for the US-market. Not available in the UK, only 212 were built with very few surviving. Returned from the US in 1997, this unrestored 1963 example has been in storage since.
Click here for full auction results
