PREVIEW - Donington April motorcycle auction

Words: Mike Ryan

Photos: Donington Auctions

For their first all-motorcycle auction of 2024, Donington Auctions are going big, with their ‘Classic & Vintage Motorcycle Auction’ offering a wide variety of machines, from classic to modern and including several project bikes across 32 lots.

Included in the online auction, which runs from 1 to 14 April, are some desirable post-war British bikes, including 1950s BSA singles, MkI and MkII Ariel Square Fours, a Vincent single and twin, a 1964 Royal Enfield Interceptor and an original, unrestored Norton Commando 850 MkIII.

It’s not all Brit bikes, though, with European marques in the mix, too, from Ducati, Moto Guzzi, MV Agusta, Benelli and Moto Morini. Some oddities and rare motorcycles are amongst the European consignments, too. Japanese marques are also represented, with a classic Honda Cub and C72 on offer, as well as newer machinery from Honda and Yamaha.

From a 2006 Yamaha YZ450F to a 1938 Wanderer, 1970 BSA Starfire, NSU Sportmax and an MZ Skorpion tourer, the offerings in this auction are nothing if not diverse, meaning enthusiasts should find something that appeals. Consignments have been drawn from multiple individuals and private collections, including those of the late Jack Craig and Cameron MacMahon.

Of the 32 lots on offer in the 1-14 April online auction, here are a few of the highlights.

Ducati 750 Sport

Born from Ducati’s need to offer a larger capacity machine to a market that was embracing big fours from the Japanese manufacturers, what started as the 750 GT in late 1971 would evolve into the 750 Sport. Using the same 90-degree ‘l-twin’, but with lighter pistons, higher compression and larger Dell’Orto carbies amongst the changes, the 750 Sport also looked very different to the GT, with its café racer styling - solo seat, a long fibreglass fuel tank, clip-on bars, rearsets and twin Veglia clocks. Enhancing the bright yellow finish was a zig-zag stripe on the fuel tank and blacked-out engine parts.

In 1973, Marzocchi forks were added and the subframe narrowed, with the fuel tank reshaped to suit. Cosmetic changes were made, too, with the striping and colours simplified. This would continue with the 1974 models, when polished engine covers replaced the black. Conventional forks replaced the leading axle type, with some units fitted with Ceriani units instead of Marzocchis. A Brembo front disc brake replaced the Scarab (which had replaced the original Lockheed brakes) and a steel fuel tank was introduced in ’74, too. This would also be the last year for the ‘round case’ engines.

Being overshadowed by the 750 SS that followed, the 750 Sport took some time to gain appreciation, but it’s a blue chip collectable now.

The 1974 example in this auction is described as Australian-delivered and one of only 656 “European spec” examples built that year. A comprehensive, ten-year restoration by Gowanloch Ducati saw the engine rebuilt and almost every other component refurbished or replaced. The bike’s original Ceriani forks, Marzocchi rear shocks, Brembo front caliper and master cylinder, Borrani wheels, Dell’Orto carbs and Conti mufflers remain, with replacement parts sourced from as far afield as the USA.   

With its authenticity verified by marque specialist Ian Falloon, this Ducati 750 Sport is arguably the premium offering in this auction ad carries an estimate of $80,000 - $90,000.

‘Wingard’ supercharged Jawa

While most commonly connected with speedway bikes these days, Czech brand Jawa was once a prominent player in road and off-road racing, as well as motorcycles for everyday use. Starting with licence-built copies of the German Wanderer marque in 1927, the first motorcycles to wear the Jawa name followed in 1929. Along with fairly conventional two-stroke singles, Jawa also built advanced four-stroke race bikes. Under German occupation, Jawa development continued in secret, with the ‘Perak,’ an all-new 250 two-stroke single, ready to launch at the end of the war. With a tele fork front, plunger rear and multi-disc clutch integrated into the gearbox, the Perak was very advanced for its time.

The Perak to be auctioned was purchased new by Reg Wingard in South Australia in 1950. He and wife June used the 250 as a commuter for its first year before Reg decided to race it. A larger carburettor was the first modification, but more significant developments over the following two years included two different superchargers. These required new heads to be designed and cast to suit. In supercharged form, the ‘Wingard Jawa’ achieved a top speed of 105mph (167km/h) at an SA race meet in 1953. The bike was also raced in scrambles without the supercharger, and it was at a dirt track event in 1960 that it last competed. After ingesting a large mount of sand, the engine was pulled apart but never rebuilt until 2004, when the vendor also completely restored the bike. 

Ridden at various classic motorcycle events since, this unique supercharged Jawa carries a pre-auction estimate of $20,000 - $30,000.

Vincent Comet and Rapide

While the Black Shadow gets all the attention, it wasn’t the only model produced by Vincent after World War II. Along with the Rapide, Vincent also built the Comet. Examples of both are in this auction.

The Comet was one of a trio of singles built by Vincent from 1934; the others being the lower-powered Meteor and higher-powered TT. All used a 499cc OHV single with a separate Burman gearbox and girder forks. In 1948, Comet production recommenced with the Series C, which was tuned to the same spec as the Black Shadow. The Series C Comet also included Vincent’s own Girdraulic forks, a narrower wheelbase than the Rapide twin, A Feridax ‘Dualseat’ saddle, ‘Duo-brake’ dual brake drums and quick-change wheels. Capable of close to 100mph in optimum tune, the Series C Comet was more than enough bike for most and would remain available until 1954; Vincent’s penultimate year of production.

The Comet to be auctioned comes from 1954 and has gained some non-standard features over the years, like rear indicators and a fibreglass topbox, but the bar-end mirrors are more in period with the bike’s age. Condition is unknown, but it appears to need recommissioning. Pre-auction estimate is $27,000 - $32,000.

The Rapide, released in 1937, was allegedly one of those “happy accidents” when two blueprints for the single were inadvertently overlaid by Vincent’s Aussie designer, the legendary Phil Irving. Barrels and heads from the 499cc single were united to a common crankcase at a 47-degree angle to create the 998cc Rapide.

Changing people’s thinking around big v-twins being suitable only for sidecar hauling, the Rapide could reach 110mph (176km/h), but the clutch and transmission struggled to cope with the additional power. This wouldn’t be rectified until the Series B Rapide of 1946, which featured an integral gearbox and a number of other changes, including using the engine as a stressed member. Girder forks were still in use though. The Series C Rapide arrived in 1949, with the adoption of Girdraulic forks and hydraulic dampers at the rear being the main changes from the Series B. In this form, production continued through to 1955 when the Series D arrived.

The 1949 Series B Rapide on offer in this auction, like the Comet, has added indicators, along with pannier frames and aftermarket grips. The large Smiths speedometer – in kilometres – is an interesting period addition. Despite needing work, desirability for Vincent twins means that the pre-auction estimate is $70,000 - $90,000.

Online in April

The Donington Classic & Vintage Motorcycle Auction runs for two weeks, with bidding open at 10:00AM AEDT on Monday, 1 April and closing from 9:30AM AEDT on Sunday, 14 April.

For more details, including viewing times (strictly by appointment), bidder registration and other Ts & Cs, go to: online.doningtonauctions.com.au