Here at MotorMartin Towers the excitement is palpable when news of a motoring auction reaches the editorial desk http://motormartin.com/2015/12/13/news-celebrity-classics-storm-ahead-at-ccas-christmas-sale/ and so it was with great pleasure that I received the news that over 110 classic and sporting bikes are going under the hammer at London’s first international motorcycle auction, presented by international auctioneers COYS at the London Motorcycle Show on February 13th. Happy days indeed!
In somewhat of a departure from MotorMartin’s usual fayre, it’s time to look into the fascinating world of classic motorcycles. Now I like a classic bike, my last motorcycle being a C-reg Kawasaki GPZ600R, and have always enjoyed the sense of style and sheer mechanical beauty that Triumphs, Norton’s, Enfield’s and the like excel in but some of the lots on offer here are something else entirely. I urge all readers with even a passing interest in motorcycles to head on over and feast your eyes on the full auction catalogue linked at the end of this article. The prices for the truly rare and exotic are really moving on up at the moment, meaning that classic bikes can be seen as an almost risk free investment at this point in time as all predictions are that prices will continue to rise. Without further ado then.
COYS are proud to announce that this unprecedented event is to be held at the ExCeL exhibition centre and features a wide range of motorcycles worth millions of pounds, including a 1956 Moto Guzzi V8 500GP evocation (estimated at £190,000 to £220,000), a 1951 Moto Guzzi 500 Bicilindrica GP (£120,000 to £130,000), a 1956 Mondial 250 GP Bicilindrica (£120,000 to £140,000) and a 1931 Indian 402 (£50,000 to £60,000). Blimey!
Sharing the news with MotorMartin, Chris Routledge, CEO of COYS, said: “Following our great success in our motorcycle auction at Bleinheim Palace, where we broke four world records by substantial amounts, we are delighted to present this event in London, both for 2016 and in future years.” before adding, “This new annual auction is the only international motorcycle auction of this scale and calibre ever held in the nation’s capital, at one of the most important motorcycle shows in the world.”
Rather amazingly, the sale will also feature a 1961 Ducati 250 Trialbero prototype (£90,000 to £100,000), a 1927 Brough Superior 680 (£120,000 to £140,000), a 1950 Vincent Rapide Series C, one of only 107 produced (£60,000 to £75,000), and a 1917 Wanderer 620cc V-Twin (£30,000 to £35,000).
Perhaps more affordable but no less impressive, there are other important historic motorcycles on offer including a 1980 Yamaha RD350LC 4L0 (£6,000 to £7,000), a 1959 Royal Enfield 700 Constellation (£9,000 to £11,000), a 1960 Triumph T120 Bonneville (£14,000 to £18,000), a 1987 Ducati 750 F1 B (£12,000 to £15,000), a 1925 Fongri 575 Sport Lusso (£25,000 to £30,000) and a 1929 Ulster – Ex Willie Wilshire (£12,000 to £15,000).
For those interested in buying, or heading along to the London Motorcycle Show itself then all the details that you need are to be found below. If you bag a bargain then send the details across and a decent picture!
Address: Excel Centre, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, London E16 1XL
Date: 13 Feb 2016
Time: 14:30hs
Viewing: Friday 12th February from 9.00hs to 17.00hs
Saturday 13th February from 9.00hs to 14.30hs
For more information or the complete catalogue, please visit: www.coys.co.uk/upcoming-auctions
Where will you go?