BIG DOLLAR BIKES DOMINATE STAFFORD AUCTION

Amongst two hundred lots consigned for Bonhams' "Sale of Important Pioneer, Vintage and Collectors' Motorcycles" on April 29, a 1934 Brough Superior SS100 was the top seller. Known as the "two of everything" model, for its twin carbs, two magnetos and two oil pumps, this model is regarded as the ultimate development of the 996cc JAP v-twin SS100 model introduced in 1924. Only eight versions were built in this configuration during 1934, with one of the customers reputed to be T.E. Lawrence, who dies before delivery of his 'two of everything' SS100.

Known history revealed it was sold in the Stratford-upon-Avon area of the UK, had originally been hitched to a sidecar, and passed through another owner's hands before returning to its original dealership in 1954. From there, the SS100 went to the famous Murray Motorcycle Museum on the Isle of Man. It was sold again in 2005 to a private collection, and was then completely restored cosmetically and mechanically. The motorcycle went to auction, also through Bonhams, in 2008. Still with its original frame, engine and registration mark, the Brough sold for $166,500 (AU$261,240 approx.) then, but its performance at this year's Stafford sale easily eclipsed that. Against a pre-auction estimate of $150,000 - $180,000, the Brough Superior sold for an impressive $242,300 (AU$388,400 approx.). Another, separately-consigned Brough Superior, this one a Matchless-engined SS80, sold for $46,000 (AU$73,740).

Nest best seller was a Vincent-HRD Series A Rapide. One of only around 50 survivors of the Series A built before the onset of World War II brought an end to production, various parts of the lot on offer had been restored over the 1960s and 70s. It passed to a US collector in 2000, before coming into the possession of UK collector, Brian Verrall, in 2003.
Also auctioned in 2008, where it fetched $198,400 (approx. AU$320,000), the rarity of the Series A Rapides was repeated at Stafford, where the near-original spec bike sold for $225,500 (AU$361,470 approx.) - just over its pre-auction estimate.

While the Series A Rapide represented one of the earliest examples, another Vincent, in the form of a 1955 Black Shadow, represented the other 'bookend' from the Verrall collection. Billed as being the last off the production line, the '55 Series C Black Shadow had been disassembled following a minor accident in 1969, but not reassembled until it passed into a new owner's hands almost three decades later. Hence, the advertised mileage of only 29,000 is believed to be genuine. Restoration of the Black Shadow was completed in the early 00s, and comprehensive documentation was included in the sale. As with the other ex-Verall Vincent, the 1955 Black Shadow sold above estimate, going for $124,700 (AU$199,900 approx.), which Bonhams believe to be a world record price for this model.

A far newer, but no less impressive machine also sold well at Stafford. The "Ferrari" motorcycle was project created by UK-based David Kay Engineering in the UK as a tribute to the late Enzo Ferrari. Somewhat surprisingly, Enzo's son, Piero, granted permission for the David Kay creation to wear the famous 'prancing horse' badge when Kay made his request in 1990. With the brief of honouring Enzo, Kay scratch-built a 900cc transverse DOHC four cylinder eight valve engine and custom frame of the famous Reynolds 531 tubing for the motorcycle, with both engineered and finished to an impeccable standard.

Bodywork on the Ferrari bike is all aluminium, created by Terry Hall, who also fabricated the reverse cone megaphone exhausts. Finished in red - of course - the bodywork also featured twin head and tail lights, subtle '900 DOHC' badging on the ducktail, and Testarossa-inspired side openings. The instrument panel was custom-built, with an integral brake master cylinder amongst the unique touches. Some 'factory' parts on the bike included Forcelle Italia USD front forks, WP rear suspension, Brembo disc brakes, and 17-inch Astralite wheels.

Four years and an estimated 3,000 man hours later, 'Ferrari 900' was completed. Although never tested, it was claimed the Ferrari bike had a power output of 105bhp at 8,800rpm, and could top 265 kph. Since completion, the Ferrari 900 has lived a pampered life in the owner's drawing room, but had featured in numerous magazines and on television. Against a pre-auction estimate of $75,000 - $100,000, this one-off motorcycle sold for $85,500 (AU$137,000 approx.)

At the more affordable end of the scale was a 2005 Triumph Bonneville, which had been modified into 'street scrambler' spec and had featured in Mission Impossible III with Tom Cruise. One of two and modified by Triumph at their Hinckley factory for use in the film, the lot offer included documentation of its provenance, as well as an image of Cruise riding the bike during filming. Despite differing in spec and appearance from the production Bonneville scrambler that appeared in 2006, it's suspected that some details on the MI3 machine inspired elements of the production bike. The 'movie star' custom Bonnie sold for $13,800 (AU$22,120 approx.)

A clutch of BSA and Norton trials motorcycles from the late 1940s and early 1950s, including a quartet of Norton 500T Trials bikes, all sold well. Prices for the Nortons varied between $2,530 and $10,580 (AU$16,700) paid for an ex-Chick Gibson 1949 example. A 1939 BSA B25 competition model sold for $8,970 (AU$14,380).

Various race bikes, including a 1992 Yamaha ROC 500cc Grand Prix machine were amongst the Stafford consignments, but one of the attention-grabbing racers was a 1972 Harley-Davidson XR750TT racer. Made famous by Cal Rayborn, this particular XR750TT was ex-USA and had race history, but no Rayborn connection. Purchased in the USA in 2010 and refurbished in the UK, including a fuel tank upgrade to use modern ethanol fuels, the XR750TT featured twin carbs, Ceriani front forks, four-speed 'box, and double-sided four-leading shoe front brake. This example sold for $23,000 (AU$36,900 approx).

Another race machine of interest was a Manx Norton with a New Zealand connection. Created by NZ marque specialist Jen McIntosh, and based around a C1961 rolling chassis, the Manx featured a Summerfield 86mm-bore engine, tuned by none other than former world champ, Hugh Anderson. A Mick Hemmings-supplied Quaife five-speed gearbox completed the package. Ideally suited to classic and historic competition, the 'McIntosh Manx' sold for $24,725 (AU$39,640 approx.).

British classics on offer included Triumph 3TA, Thunderbird and Bonneville, with BSA Bantam, Golden Flash and a pre-war 'Sloper' featuring amongst the lots sold. A very nice 1962 Panther Model 120 with Watsonian sidecar sold for $4,140 (AU$6,637 approx.), while a 1938 Triumph Speed Twin, in original condition, sold for an impressive $13,225 (AU$21,200 approx). Arguably the pick of the affordable Brit offerings was a well-presented BSA A7 Golden Flash, with colour-matched Watsonian 'Monza' sidecar, which sold for $8,050 (AU$12,900).

Rarities included a Japanese-built Bridgestone GTO, Triumph X75 Hurricane (which sold for $19,550 - AU$31,340 approx.), Zundapp DB255 'Elastic', British-built 1923 Osmond Junior, a pair of 1915 Douglas Model P's, early Ducati Cucciolos, a Gilera Giubileo, a couple of early 1950s Ferrari motorcycles (of no relation to the cars or the David Kay machine), a C1956 NSU Sportmax, and a 96-miles-from-new 1972 Ossa MAR trials bike.

Perhaps the most unusual machine, but one that didn't sell was the 1928 Windhoff Four. Manufactured in Germany and designed by an engineer who would later go on to work for Mercedes-Benz, the Windhoff Four was advanced for its time, featuring an oil-cooled overhead cam four-cylinder engine that also served as a stressed member of the frame. The (shaft drive) rigid rear end was supported by four sturdy tubes, while the front end featured a meagre-looking leaf-sprung, trailing link fork.

With claimed power output of 22bhp at 4,000rpm, the Windhoff was praised for its smoothness, but was very expensive, and effectively killed by the great depression, with Windhoff itself ceasing motorcycle manufacture in 1933. Rare to begin with, and thinned even further by wartime attrition, Windhoffs of any type are rare sights nowadays, the Four even more so. This one was acquired at Bonhams' 2008 Stafford sale in restored, running condition, and was tipped to be another strong seller this year, along with the Vincents, but failed to meet its $100,000 estimate.

Veteran machines included a C1900 Singer, Perks & Birch 'Motor Bicycle' with unusual rear wheel-encased engine, which sold for $26,450 (AU$42,400). Another veteran that caused some interest was a 1912 Matchless Model 7. Manufactured at a time when the Matchless range comprised solely of v-twins, the Model 7 frame had been modified at some point in its history to accommodate a 3-speed countershaft gearbox. Restored in 2004, the matchless was latterly treated to other refurbishments, so presented in good order at Stafford, and sold for $16,100 (AU$25,800 approx).

A clearance rate of 87 percent and total sales of $2.2 million (AU$3.52m) saw Bonhams 2012 Stafford auction judged one of their best ever.
"Despite the April showers, the turnout at the Stafford sale was excellent," Bonhams' Ben Walker said. "Spirited bidding, both within the room and over the phone from all over the globe, saw fantastic prices realised. We are delighted with this year's sale results."

All prices include buyer's premium