Here’s another of my personal Six Of The Best – this time from Bonhams Autumn Stafford Sale at the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show on 12-13 October 2024.
Top of the list has to be this 1928 Brough Superior SS100 Grand Sport which has been hidden away for 42 years by its secretive owner. It has now come up for air with an estimate of £140,000 to £180,000 – well out of my league – but what a stunning looking machine with a brilliant history (apart from the past 42 years that is) and a beautiful patina.
It’s a matching numbers machine which adds huge appeal. The Brough was supplied by George Brough to Shell Mex. The registered keeper was Malcolm Vincent Amble, Chief Motor Engineer at Shell Marketing, and most likely using as a company vehicle or for promotional purposes.
In 1931, it was sold to P Platts in Manchester, possibly Percy Platt of Oldham. Notably, Clem Beckett, an Oldham-based speedway rider, trade unionist, and Communist Party member, also owned this machine.
Another notable owner (referenced in a 1955 Motor Cycle article) was Harold L Biggs, the well-known pre-war mechanic who worked on, amongst other vehicles, Sir Henry Segrave’s supercharged 2-litre Sunbeam.
During Harry Muckalt’s ownership in the 1950s, he rebuilt and modified the engine, fitting KTOR cylinders and enhancing its capacity to 1,134cc. Subsequently, the motorcycle passed to BS Club members John Lemon and Peter Robinson before the late owner acquired it in 1982 for £2,400, keeping it mostly hidden until it was exhumed from its resting place earlier this year.
Number two for me is this 1974 Ducati 750SS, one of only 24 delivered new in the UK. It comes with known ownership history and in restored condition. Estimate is £140,000 – £170,000.
Only 401 round-case Ducati 750SS production models were manufactured by the Ducati factory between January and March 1974. Only three 1973 prototype models are believed to have survived, all of which went to the USA.
The production machines are understood to have been built in two batches of 200, the first tranche assembled between 2nd and 10th January 1974, and the second between late January and March. Only 24 are known to have been brought into the UK in 1974 by the importers, Coburn & Hughes – and this is one of them.
A TR5 isn’t particularly rare but this 1951 Triumph TR5 499cc Trophy is special. It was once the personal bike of Arthur Lampkin, a former 500cc motocross Grand Prix winner, gold medallist in the International Six Days Trial, 1963 Scottish Six Days winner and a member of the Lampkin dynasty of off-road riders. The Trophy was acquired by Arthur Lampkin at some point between the early 1970s and 1983, and owned by him until late in 1990.
Just look at this gorgeous 1929 BSA 500cc S.29 OHV Sloper, so-called because of its inclined cylinder which started a trend among British motorcycle manufacturers. The ’27 Sloper featured a saddle tank that afforded a low seating position, and for 1930 gained chromium-plated brightwork and a new frame with forged steel spine. Models with the 493cc overhead-valve engine came with twin-port cylinder heads. The Sloper range remained essentially Vintage in character until its demise in 1935.
This 1976 MV Agusta 350 Sport is carrying a surprisingly low estimate of £3,000 – £4,000, so there’s a very nice Italian classic to be had for not a lot of money. The 350 is basically an over-bored version of the existing 250B model that had been around since 1967. Two versions were made: the 350GT tourer and 350B sports roadster.
Another stunningly beautiful Italian motorcycle is this 1975 Laverda 744cc 750 SFC Electronica, one of the final ‘18000’ batch with th engine and frame numbers in the 18,000 sequence. It’s known as the Electronica because it’s fitted with Bosch electronic ignition. The 750 SFC production racer is less 0f a brute than it’s bigger brother, the 1,000cc Jota, but a successful and tough endurance racer. Estimate is £28,000 – £35,000.
The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show
12 – 13 Oct 2024
Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground