Brit bike collection to be auctioned in Sydney

All the British bikes were restored to show condition, but have served their time as part of a major private collection and have never been ridden. A group of nine similarly restored Hondas from the same collector realised $68,000 at Shannons Sydney Summer Auction in February.

Highlights amongst the British bikes consigned for Monday's auction include an exquisite C1954 Matchless G45 500cc twin production racer, based on the 1952 Senior Manx Grand Prix winner, and a stunning C1952 AJS 18S 500cc solo equipped with springer frame rear suspension and an alloy competition single cylinder engine.

Because of their rarity and show condition, the Matchless is expected to bring $44,000-$54,000 and the AJS $11,000-$14,000.

Other motorcycles from the collection include:
-A circa 1960 Matchless G80 'Typhoon' 600cc solo - a limited production model produced primarily for the American market - with a rare alloy competition engine ($16,000-$19,000)
-A classic circa 1964 Matchless G80CS with a competition alloy 500cc single cylinder engine ($11,000-$14,000)
-A superb circa 1958 AJS Model 20 500cc Twin-cylinder solo ($9,000-$12,000)
-A striking circa 1963 Matchless G12 CSR ('Competition Sprung Roadster') 650cc Twin-cylinder dubbed the 'Coffee Shop Racer' by its rivals because of its distinctive two-into-one 'siamese' exhaust system ($10,000-$13,000).

A pair of classic Vespa scooters, not part of the Brtosh collection, have also been consigned - a 1964 150cc model finish in red, blue and white French livery and a1966 VBC 150cc resplendent in white, red and green Italian national colours - each carry a $3,000-$5,000 guiding range.

All lots in Monday's auction can be inspected over this weekend at Shannons showroom, 65 Reserve Road, St.Leonards from 9am to 4pm Saturday and 10am to 4pm Sunday.

For more auction information, visit www.shannons.com.au