H&H auction showcases rare, collectable classics
With prices for exceptional scooters at an all-time high it was inevitable that a specialist auction would emerge and it’s being held on July 20 at the National Motorcycle Museum.
Although scooters have occasionally been mixed with classic motorcycles at auctions for some time, the descriptions and valuations have often been inaccurate. While scooter prices remained low that was forgivable but with a Douglas Rod hammering at £10k last year and a GT200 reaching £23k, there’s little doubt that some scooters sit firmly in the category of desirable classics. We may look back fondly at the times when an SX200 could be bought for a pittance, but those days have gone.
With such large sums of money changing hands it’s important that the seller achieves a fair price and the buyer has confidence that the scooter they’re bidding on is what it claims to be. Having recently achieved several exceptional prices at auction, H&H auctioneers joined forces with Paul Diamond, a lifelong enthusiast of vintage scooters. On April 6 this year the collaboration’s first event was held, attracting a wide field of entries and achieving some spectacular prices. Notably a Vespa SS90 sold for yet another UK record at more than £28,000 and a Spanish Motovespa 150S sold for £8568, the price being boosted by the fact that David Beckham had sat on it in a TV advertisement! For anyone doubting the desirability and demand for such machines it should be noted that more than 80% of the lots sold.
The next auction on Wednesday, July 20 promises to showcase a variety of the very finest rare and collectable classic scooters. Already consigned is the 1966 world speed record Vespa Gori racer with incredible provenance, a 1949 Vespa V13T Faro Basso Bacchetta, a Vespa GS150 VS3, a Vespa GS160 Mk2 and a sumptuous original paint Lambretta Golden Special ex-Weston Lambretta Museum.
Also just consigned is an FD Furgone and an impressive Lambretta D racer.
Scooterists who see this as an attempt to commercialise their hobby should note that the auction is aimed squarely at rare and collectable scooters, very few of which will ever be found at a scooter rally.
In fact, to be included in this auction a scooter should have been manufactured before 1978, with exceptions being made for limited edition models or those with exceptional provenance.
As H&H has a wealth of auction experience, including arranging shipping throughout the world, the auction is expected to attract global interest. “We accept that many people in the scooter fraternity are not yet used to this type of sale,” said Paul Diamond, “but we had such a positive response to the previous sale it encouraged everyone involved to take it to another level. With H&H’s proven track record and the involvement of those with a passion for rare and unusual scooters I believe we can offer a service that’s unmatched in the world of classic scooters.”
The next Vintage Scooter Auction is on July 20 at the National Motorcycle Museum and as we went to press there was still scope for further entries of exceptional, interesting, classic or collectable scooters to be included in the sale.
If you are interested in entering a classic or collectable vintage scooter you can contact Paul Diamond, H&H vintage scooter specialist on +44 (0) 7768 313001 or by email at paul@vintagescooters.co.uk
More information can be found at www.handh.co.uk and www.vintagescooters.co.uk