A Roaring Success: New Company Motorcycle Record Of £2m And 92% Sold

A magnificent Brough Superior SS100 led the pack at the £2m H&H Classics sale in the National Motorcycle Museum on October 27^th. It came to auction with an estimate of £180,000 to £200,000, but topped that at £224,200. 

This stunning example of the bike every collector wants to own was dispatched when new to Layton's of Oxford (on 15th October 1938) and first registered to Kings Motors, also of Oxford.

Mike Davis of H&H Classics says: “These bikes are incredibly collectable and they continue to rise in value. The strength of the vintage motorcycle market has been growing year on year, and does not seem to have been hindered by the current economic slow down, this latest sale certainly highlights this.”

“This H&H sale at the NMM represented a unique opportunity to acquire a most original and genuine ‘Superbike’ from the pre-war era that can still provide an exhilarating ride or grace any serious collector's stable.”

The machine had all its correct numbers, frame, engine, and gearbox as per the machine card and confirmed by the BSOC. Its early history is unknown but it was purchased by BSOC member Mike Holben in the 1950s, and formally owned by Titch Allen.

Mike Davis said that the sheer number of buyers and the brisk bidding help to push the sale total to a whopping £2m with an astonishing sell rate of 92%. The fact that we had that stunning Brough Superior SS100 and the Vincent Black Shadow ensured huge interest on the day and that certainly created excitement. And with 200 bikes to choose from there was something for everyone.”

Ian Cunningham adds: “There was obviously pent-up demand after 18 months of Covid and the buzz in the sale was palpable.”

The second highest price of the sale was this lovely 1953 Vincent Black Shadow which sold for £76,700. In its day it was the fastest motorcycle in the world and is the bike everyone wants now.

This wonderful survivor, the legendary Vincent Black Shadow, is part of a deceased estate, owned by the same family since 1980. It came to sale with H&H Classics at the National Motorcycle Museum on October 27^th.

This beautiful Black Shadow was first registered on the 18th of June 1953 and bought by the last owner, an engineer, in 1980 using it at the time for touring and holidays with friends. Its frame number matches factory records.

 The bike comes fitted with a few desirable modifications including an electric starter kit, BTH mag, Alton dynamo, Stainless Steel exhaust system and a Hills centre stand. It looks to have been an on-going restoration project with a receipt dated 16.09.10 for £3600 worth of assorted work and one dated 09.09.16 for further £1900. A lot of the nuts and bolts are stainless and the wheels are fitted with stainless spokes.

This 1990 Norton F1 with one registered keeper and 2,256 miles from new sold for £40,120. It had been Displayed in a London Rolls-Royce dealership until 2001. 

This 1948 Vincent Series B Rapide Sold for £42,480. Purchased by the vendor in 1998, he subsequently restored this lovely Series B Vincent Rapide over several years to show winning standard. Thereafter, it was ridden on many Vincent Owners' Club rallies (including the Isle Of Man).

The 1977 MV Agusta 832 Monza above, sold for £50,740. An extremely rare and original 1977 MV Agusta 832 Monza. It is a fully faired single-seat Grand Prix race replica model and one of the very last MV's produced at the Gallarate factory

MV Agusta is one of the most famous names in motorcycle history having won 270 Grand Prix motorcycle races, 38 World Riders' Championships and 37 World Constructors Championships with legendary riders such as Giacomo Agostini, Mike Hailwood, Phil Read, Carlo Ubbiali, Gary Hocking and John Surtees. 

The 1929 Indian Scout 101 Sold for £24,190. Extensively restored prior to being imported from America in 2015 it was said to 'run well and sound lovely' and to have 'good electrics'. Its slightly mellowed patina only added to its appeal.

This 1921 Kenilworth Motorcyclette, a rare survivor sold for £6,490. It was purchased by the vendor from the famous Murray’s Museum on the Isle Of Man in 2005.

This 1921 Kenilworth Motorcyclette is possibly the only road-going survivor of the marque. 'Kenny' (as it is known) has been used on the Banbury Run and Graham Walker Run.

A wonderful patina has been retained on this machine, with original transfers on the tank.

This 1964 Lambretta GT 200 stored since 1976 Sold for £23,600, over four times its top estimate of £4,000.

Take a look at all of the auction results here.