VARIETY ACT

Diversity is clearly a good thing, as proved by this spring sale

The breadth of machinery on offer was surely one of the key factors as 92% of the 71 motorcycles sold at Cheffins Cambridge Vintage Sale on April 22. A significant one-owner collection, offered without reserve, threw up a number of more affordable gems, including a 1965 BSA A65 complete with MOT (£3300) and a 1970 Benelli Tornado (£2300), while a complete but unrestored 1964, 124cc Gilera Sei Giorno Speciale found a new owner at £800.

The cream though, always floats to the top – and this pre-war AJS proved the point. The 1938, 499cc Model 38/8, twin port single – in excellent, restored running order and with a comprehensive history file, hit its estimate squarely, making £10,500, while a lovely 1927 Scott Super Squirrel – repatriated from Australia in 2014 – did likewise, selling for £9396.

Cheffins’ next Cambridge Vintage sale is on July 15 – they’ve set the bar very high...