Bonhams posts 94 percent sell-through on vintage motorcycles

Three motorcycles — a 1924 Croft-Cameron 996cc Super Eight, a 1948 Vincent-HRD 998 Black Shadow Series and a 1937 Brough Superior with sidecar combination – each sold for six figures over the weekend at Bonhams’ Autumn Stafford sale. The fall version of the twice-a-year auction of vintage motorcycles generated $1.91 million in sales.

“The Bonhams Stafford Sale continues to act as the international barometer for collectors’ motorcycle sales,” James Stensel, head of Bonhams motorcycle department, said in a news release. “The strong results at Stafford, including an industry leading percentage sale rate, were a welcome indication of the strength of the market.”

The auction wrapped up with a 94 percent sell-through rate.

The sale was led by the 1924 Croft-Cameron, which sold for £203,100 ($248,526); the 1924 Vincent, which brought £113,500 ($138,886); and the Brough with sidecar that originally was owned and used by the Sheffield police department.

Prices include buyer’s fees.

The top-selling Super Eight is an extremely rare survivor of the short-lived and Coventry-based Croft-Cameron company. The Black Shadow sold for double its pre-auction estimated value.

Another Vincent, a 1946 998cc Rapide Series-B, sold for $84,065; it was the third-oldest complete and original post-war Vincent in existence, Bonhams said.

A 1920 Harley-Davidson 1,000cc Model F sold for $26,737.

“UK bidding was competitive from both the trade and private collectors,” said Malcolm Barber, Bonhams co-chairman and auctioneer at the sale, who added that the auction involved “the pound taking on strong European and indeed international currencies.”

Top 10 sales, Bonhams Autumn Stafford Sale 2016

1. 1924 Croft-Cameron 996cc Super Eight, $248,526
2. 1948 Vincent-HRD 998 Black Shadow Series-B, $138,886
3. 1937 Brough Superior 1,096cc 11-50HP with sidecar, $104,623
4. 1946 Vincent 998cc Rapide Series-B, $84,065
5. Ex-Works NCR Sports Roger Nicholls Isle of Man TT Formula 1 1197 Ducatti 905cc production racer, $73,101
6. 1978 MV Agusta 750 American Magni, $59,103
7. Ex-J Shaw 1921 TT, 1921 Norton 4900cc Model 16H, $40,809
8. 1960 Norton 490cc Manx racer, $37,994
9. 1973 Healey 1000/4, $36,587
10. 1906 FN Four, $28,14

(Prices include buyer’s fees.)

Bonhams will offer motorcycles at its December 7-8 sale in the Olympia exhibition center at London and then stages its huge Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction on January 26 at the Rio Hotel & Casino in Nevada.