Classic bikes line up at Bonhams
Rare British motorcycles head to Bonhams Stafford Sale later this month, with the Croft-Cameron Super Eight leading an exceptional line-up of vintage, classic and racing machines.
The Croft-Cameron Super Eight ranks among the super-sports big twins of the 1920s and ‘30s. The Coventry based Croft Cameron company enjoyed a short but sweet existence between 1923 and 1926, producing striking and powerful machines for the very top of the market. This rare example of their design, which debuted in 1923, is estimated at £160,000-200,000.
James Stensel, Head of Bonhams Collectors’ Motorcycles says: ‘Our motorcycle dedicated sales are synonymous with the world’s finest machines of yesteryear. This autumn’s sale has attracted some truly remarkable entries including an exceedingly rare Croft-Cameron Super Eight with elegant lines and sporting prowess – a potent machine in the right hands.
Bonhams brings several other fantastic super sport twins to the Stafford Sale. These include the 1925 Zenith 981cc Super 8 (estimate £28,000-34,000) featuring a JAP KTCY 4 cam engine from a Brough Superior SS80/100 and a 1937 Brough Superior 1,096cc 11-50hp Motorcycle Combination (estimate £55,000-65,000), first owned by the Sheffield Police.
More than 230 lots are set to cross the Bonhams auction block. These comprise no fewer than 20 veterans, including the 1907 Vindec Special 5hp & Graham Brothers Sidecar (estimate £30,000-40,000) – a rare and striking survivor of a little-known German maker that regularly draws the attention of collectors and enthusiasts across the UK.
Also up for auction is the ‘exceptionally rare’ ex-works, NCR, Sports Motor Cycles, Roger Nicholls, Isle of Man TT Formula 1, 1977 Ducati 905cc Production Racing Motorcycle (estimate £55,000-75,000) and a ‘meticulously restored’ Ex-Texaco Heron Team Suzuki, 1976 Suzuki RG500 XR14 Racing Motorcycle previously owned by Grand Prix rider Rob Bron (estimate £45,000-55,000).
Amongst the Vincents on offer is a 1946 Vincent 998cc Rapide Series-B (estimate £38,000-45,000), a unique chance to secure what is believed to be the oldest complete and original post-war Vincent in existence, whilst the 1948 Vincent-HRD 998cc Black Shadow Series-B (estimate £50,000-60,000) is one of just 76 Series B Black Shadows produced, putting it on a par with the series A Rapide in terms of rarity.
Ben Walker, Bonhams International Departmental Director says, “With such a diverse array of entries, we look forward to welcoming the international crowd to Stafford for what is set to be a memorable event.”
Bonhams Autumn Stafford Sale takes place Sunday 16th October at The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show, Staffordshire County Showground.