Shannons Brisbane Auto Caffeine
The regular Shannons gathering pre-auction draws a crowd of motoring enthusiasts of all genres, the latest being on 30th July 2022. Representing the motorcycles, I took my 1954 MV Augusta 175 CSS and was joined by some members of the Ducati Owners Club of Queensland. Inside there were some classic motorcycles for auction. Impressive was an ex-Des Butler 1951 Manx Norton. Des reportedly sold the last of his Norton collection in 2016 and was quoted as saying “I used to buy the first Norton off the production line each year. It would come by ship from the factory in England, then by train to Wickham, and finally to Hazel and Moore in Newcastle where I would collect it.” He fitted his 1951 Manx with Chevy valves and said, “it went like a rocket!” The current owner had a display stand made and a period poster-sized backdrop celebrating the Manx Norton’s remarkable racing success, especially while piloted by the great Geoff Duke. The bike was listed complete with display stand for $40$50,000 but was passed in at auction.
The other machine of special note was a 1911 Quadrant Board track racer. Quadrant Cycle Company was a Lloyd family business in Birmingham. Progressing from cycles to motorcycles in 1901, the Board track racer was fitted with a 600cc JAP TT race engine capable of 100 miles per hour. The current owner took possession of the racer 25 years ago as part payment for a car he was selling. Basically, it was as he got it but he did recently have a new rear 26” rim made and fitted by Steve Hood at Kingaroy. It was listed at $35-$45,000 but sold for $10,500.
All the other machines were Japanese from the ’70’s to early ‘80’s and all were sold with the highest price of $29,000 for a 1973 Kawasaki 750 H2A and the lowest a 1982 Honda Z50R Mini Bike which drew $4,500.