BONHAMS AUCTION
News of the live sale to be held at Bicester Heritage in August
With the cancellation of the (already twice postponed) Classic Motorcycle Show at Stafford later this month, Bonhams have opted to go it alone with what should have been their spring sale. Their summer sale takes place on the same weekend – August 14-16 – that the show was last rescheduled to before its cancellation. The new venue is Bicester Heritage, the home of Bonhams’ motorcycle department, and lots will be on view in a massive 50,000sq ft hangar at the former RAF bomber airfield.
With the safety of buyers, vendors and Bonhams staff being absolutely paramount, the sale will be conducted behind closed doors, using a brand new, live online format which was trialled very successfully by Bonhams at a recent combined car and bike sale at the venue. Essentially, it’s a traditional live auction, conducted by an auctioneer, with bids being accepted online, by telephone, or by absentee commission bid.
Pre-sale viewing of lots is possible by appointment, with live and interactive condition reports for bidders and ‘walk around’ video content available on Bonhams’ website. There’s also an enhanced bidding facility and exclusive marketing exposure provided via the-saleroom.com and invaluable.com.
The first day of the sale (Friday) is designated for the auctioning of parts and memorabilia. Saturday features the usual eclectic mix of machines from private owners and collectors, while the sensational Morbidelli collection will be going under the hammer on Sunday. All three days will offer non-stop auction action from the earlier than usual start time of 10am. We’ve already highlighted the Morbidelli collection in CB, so on the right there’s a taste of what day one of the sale holds in store... • bonhams.co.uk
1938 Vincent Series A Rapide
This stunning machine (above) is one of the earliest Series A Rapides manufactured. It was used as a factory demonstrator, directors’ mount and a press road test bike. Motor Cycling tested the bike twice – in 1938, recording 102mph at Brooklands, and in 1955, alongside the last machine off the Stevenage production line. Only 78 Series A Rapides were built, with around 50 thought to survive, and the history of this example makes it all the more desirable.
The bike has not been on the road since the ’60s and is offered requiring restoration. Due to its use as demonstrator and publicity vehicle for the marque over such a long period (it first passed out of Vincent company ownership when it was sold in 1959), it is missing some parts and both crankcases and the frame main section are un-numbered. Nevertheless, the bike’s long, documented association with the Vincent factory is sure to make this one of the highlights of the sale.