Beloved late local vicar's bike collection headed by Vincent Black Shadow

The late Father Robert Edward Hampson was an avid motorbike collector and rider in his spare time, as well as a cherished local vicar, so close friends and relatives were pleased to have his bikes at the church once more before going to sale with H&H Classics on November 9th at The National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham.

His collection features a couple of Sunbeams, a Royal Enfield, a BSA, but headlined by a 1951 Vincent Black Shadow - with an estimate £40,000 to £50,000.

The Black Shadow was arguably the greatest high performance ‘superbike’ of its generation - a decidedly exotic kind of transportation for a local vicar.

There is also a 1938 Sunbeam Model A26, a very rare machine and the only known example on the road today, estimated to sell at £8,000-£9,000.

The collection boasts 12 classic motorcycles in total, amounting to a total estimated value of £140,000.

The much loved local Reverend was a very well known figure in his local community of South Woodford in London, with double page coverage in the local paper ahead of his funeral.

Mike Davis of H&H; “The Reverend was known for his tongue in cheek approach to preaching his faith during his time at the Holy Trinity church in South Woodford. It was only fitting his bike collection was seen outside his church one last time before what we hope will be another successful sale at the National Motorcycle Museum. 

Robert’s love for old British motorbikes started as a teenager and he would dismantle old gear boxes or engines on his mothers kitchen table or solder something over the gas cooker (This is when his mum would go mad)!” 

FATHER ROBERT HAMPSON'S COLLECTION

1951 Vincent Black Shadow 998cc, £40,000 to £50,000

1951 Vincent Black Shadow 998cc vee twin. An iconic British motorcycle of the day and everybody’s dream motorcycle. Restored a few years ago. Engine rebuilt with new crankcases in 2011 at great cost – estimate £40,000-£50,000.

1921 Sunbeam model 7 500cc | £7,000-£8,000

1922 Sunbeam Model 1 350cc Sports | £5,000-£6,000

1929 Sunbeam Model 9/90 500cc | £7,000-£8,000

1931 Sunbeam Model 9 sports 500cc | £7,000-£9,000

1932 Sunbeam Lion 500cc | No Reserve

1932 Sunbeam Lion 600cc | No Reserve 

1938 Sunbeam Model A26 | £8,000-£9,000

1929 BSA Sloper 500cc side-valve | £5,000-£6,000

1932 Raleigh MH32 500cc OHV | £3,000-£4,000

1921 Royal Enfield Model 180 986cc | £11,000-£13,000

1947 Harley Davidson WLA 745cc Vee Twin | £9,000-£11,000