Classic bikes going to auction
In a sale that includes collectable petroliana and garagenalia, books and signed memorabilia, number plates, automotive parts and even a couple of tractors, the Classic Automotive Auction certainly has diversity, but the motorcycles are expected to be the top sellers.
Leading the field is a 1977 Ducati 750 Super Sport. One of only 100 square-case examples produced in ’77, this particular unit was Australian-delivered and comes to auction in good, unrestored condition. The 750 SS is expected to sell for somewhere in the $70,000 range.
The other lots are mainly British classics, including a ’61 Triumph Twenty One, unrestored ’48 Velocette LE, ’34 Norton Model 19, C1949 Ariel Red Hunter, ’51 Royal Enfield Bullet, 1949/50 Norton ES2 and a 1949/50 Norton Dominator in café racer spec.
The most intriguing bike on offer is a 1939 Triumph Speed Twin that’s been in the same family for more than seven decades. What makes this example particularly interesting is that it was “hidden” during World War II to prevent it being taken by the government under the ‘compulsory acquisition’ programme of the time. Apparently, the original owner went to the extreme of dismantling the bike, wrapping its components in grease paper and burying it under a market garden in outer-suburban Melbourne.
After WWII ended, the bike was dug up and reassembled, but the original owner only held on to it until 1946, when it was sold to the father of the current owner.
Fitted with a Dusting sidecar and aero screen, the Triumph was fully restored in the 1980s and still presents well today.
The rarity and condition of this Triumph has seen Donington place a $49,000 high estimate on it.
Donington Auctions’ Classic Automotive Auction will take place at 100A Talinga Rd., Cheltenham (VIC). Viewings are from 12-17 November, with the auction commencing from 11:00AM on Sunday, 17 November. Online bidding is available by registering at https://www.doningtonauctions.com.au/ where you can also find more lot and general auction details.
