Best of Bonhams

2017

1914 Henderson 1,068cc Model C Four

One of the most charismatic names in American motorcycling history, Henderson produced nothing but four-cylinder motorcycles in the course of its 19-year existence.

This particular Henderson found its way to Scotland, (the Henderson family homeland) and was bought new by Frederick Burnett of 11 Grindlay Street, Edinburgh. Noteworthy features included Powell & Hanmer acetylene lighting, a Gloriaphone hand-operated klaxon, Cowey Engineering Co Ltd 0-80mph speedometer, and a well-sprung Brooks leather saddle. This rare survivor was sold for £ 113,500 in 2017.

2018

Owned and Ridden by Steve Mcqueen In The Film "On Any Sunday"
1970 Husqvarna 400 Cross

Before the era of big celebrity endorsements, Husqvarna Motorcycles had two heavy hitters already in its corner. Malcolm Smith, arguably the best-ever all-around rider, and Steve McQueen, movie star and uncontested arbiter of what was hip and cool, both rode Huskies. A shirtless McQueen could be seen on the cover of Sports Illustrated, bronzed and muscled, charging his 400 Cross across the Mojave Desert, and Smith's exploits aboard a 250 Cross were featured in everyone's all-time favourite motorcycle movie, On Any Sunday. 

This particular example, one of the first 400 Cross models brought into the U.S. was purchased through McQueen’s production company, Solar Productions and sold for US$ 230,500 in 2018 at the Collectors' Motorcycles Sale at the Barber Museum.

2018

The ex-Tony McAlpine
Jack Ehret, Australian Land Speed Record Breaking
4 Owners From New
1951 Vincent 998cc Black Lightning

The ultimate Vincent was the Series C Black Lightning, a production version of the bike Rollie Free rode to break the AMA's land speed record in 1948 on the Bonneville Salt Flats. The Black Lightning's genesis is the stuff of legend for Vincent enthusiasts.

 First shown at London's 1948 Earls Court show, the production Black Lightning caused a sensation despite its then-enormous £400 price tag plus a hefty £108 purchase tax. It is generally accepted that only 33 complete customer examples were ever built. The Black Lightning is perhaps the most coveted production motorcycle ever built. It is believed that 19 matching-numbers Lightnings still exist, making the cosmetically un-restored ex-Jack Ehret five-owner example, with its glorious racing history, a rare and immensely desirable slice of motorcycling history. 

Selling for US$929,000 in 2018 at The Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction, this Vincent Black Lightning remains the most valuable motorcycle ever to be sold at auction.

2019

The ex-Bud Ekins; 1962 ISDT Gold Medal-winning
1962 Triumph 649cc TR6SS Trophy

Success in the International Six Days' Trial (ISDT) in the late 1940s prompted Triumph to adopt the 'Trophy' name for their off-road-styled twins. That same year the TR6SS here was ridden by Bud Ekins in the ISDT in West Germany, enabling the great American rider to win his first Gold Medal in the event.

 A consummate off-road racer, bike restorer, occasional stunt rider, and all-American hero, Ekins was a close friend of actor Steve McQueen and performed the famous motorcycle jump (as McQueen's stunt double) in the movie The Great Escape. In an article written for The Classic Motor Cycle, Roy Poynting summed up Bud Ekins' achievement on his Triumph Trophy at the 1962 ISDT, emphasising Ekins’ brilliance, who was riding as a privateer on an unfamiliar machine in appalling weather conditions.

This piece of motorcycling royalty sold for £97,750 in April 2019 vs its pre-sale auction estimate of  £20,000 – 30,000

2021

The Ex-Steve Hislop, Niall Mackenzie, James Whitham, Cadbury's Boost c.1995 Yamaha YZF750 Superbike Racing Motorcycle

The news of Steve Hislop's untimely death in a helicopter accident in August 2003 came as a severe blow to road-racing aficionados everywhere. On his day, 'Hizzy' was as fast as anyone in the world, if not faster, as his 2002 lap of Donington Park on the Ducati 999R testastretta superbike - quicker than Valentino Rossi's best on the works Honda RC211V Moto GP bike - seemed to demonstrate.

A master of what for many remains the ultimate challenge: the Isle of Man TT course, Hizzy won 11 TTs between 1987 and 1994, endearing himself to British enthusiasts. The Yamaha YZF750 here was ridden by Steve Hislop for the Cadbury's Boost team in the 1998 British Superbike Championship. Steve's palmarès for the 1998 season included four race wins and a total of 12 podiums in BSBK for 3rd overall in the championship, plus 9th and 10th place finishes in WSBK at Donington Park and 8th and 11th at Brands Hatch.

Bonhams had the pleasure of offering this machine as part of the Phil Morris collection in 2021, selling for £36,650 following an intense bidding war.

2020

Property of the late Alan Windsor
1988 Honda VFR750R Type RC30

One of the modern era's few immediately collectible classics, the Honda VFR750R - better known as the 'RC30' - was created for just one reason: to win the World Superbike Championship, a feat it achieved in the nascent series' first two seasons of 1988 and '89. No other motorcycle is lusted after like the RC30, a true pin-up of the late 80's. Few bikes can match its exclusivity and values are back on the rise with zero-mile examples exceeding six figures.

This single-owner example was offered from the collection of the late Alan Windsor, a well-known and highly respected figure in the classic motorcycle racing scene for the past several decades. Displaying less than 6,000 miles from new, the Honda achieved £47,150 at auction despite requiring extensive recommissioning.

Browse this auction and register to bid for The Autumn Sale at Bonhams.com

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