An ultra-rare 1940s AJS 497cc E90 'Porcupine'

An ultra-rare 1940s AJS 497cc E90 'Porcupine' Grand Prix racing motorcycle will be offered for the first time at auction in the Bonhams Summer Stafford Sale on 2 July.

This motorcycle was previously owned by post-war AJS works rider Ted Frend. The E90's reputation was made as the first motorcycle to win the 500cc World Championship in the series' debut year of 1949, carrying Frend's fellow works rider Les Graham to his (and AJS's) first and only world title.

Dubbed the 'Porcupine' by the era's motorcycle press due to its distinctive spiked 'head' finning, the E90 remains the sole twin-cylinder machine to have won world motorcycling's flagship series.

The Porcupine leads the Ken Senior Collection of 90 plus motorcycles to be offered on Friday 2 July, at the three-day Summer Stafford Sale. Over 680 lots will be auctioned across all three days, 75% of which will be offered Without Reserve.

For more information please contact our specialists on ukmotorcycles@bonhams.com

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