Bonhams Motorcycles, the world record-setting auction house specialist department, will continue as the exclusive auction partner of Mortons Media Group Ltd, owners of the Stafford Classic Bike Shows, for a further three years.
Under the renewed agreement, Bonhams will continue to host its internationally acclaimed bi-annual Collectors’ Motorcycle sales at the Stafford Classic Motorcycle Shows, staged at the Staffordshire County Showground. In return, the auctions will be promoted across Morton’s extensive international portfolio of magazines, including Classic Bike Guide and The Classic Motorcycle.
In recent years Bonhams motorcycles have achieved consistently high results, with an average sell-through rate of 93%, the highest of any motorcycle auctioneer in Europe, and sales totals of more than £5 million per annum.
The ex-Ted Frend 1940s AJS 497cc E90 ‘Porcupine’ Grand Prix racing motorcycle, set a new auction world record selling for £293,250 at the Summer Stafford Sale 2021
The Bonhams Stafford sales are renowned for setting auction world records, including the sale of a 1940s AJS 497cc E90 ‘Porcupine’ Grand Prix racing motorcycle, previously owned by post-war AJS works rider Ted Frend, which achieved £293,250, a new auction world record for the model, at last year’s Summer Stafford Sale.
The Bonhams Motorcycles team is currently gearing up for its latest sale at the West Midlands venue on 22-23 April, which will offer more than 400 lots of collectors’ motorcycles, spares and motorcycle-related memorabilia.
Early consignments include a brace of barn find Brough Superiors, a 1929 996CC SS100 ‘Alpine Grand Sports’ Sprint Special (estimate £70,000 – 100,000), campaigned by notable Brough-Superior riders Reg Barton and Dick Knight, and a 1936 982cc SS100 (estimate £120,000 – 180,000) offered from 50 years of current ownership, plus a 1948 Velocette 348cc KTT MkVII Racing Motorcycle, (estimate £50,000 – 70,000), ridden to victory by Les Graham.
Ben Walker, Global Head of Bonhams Motorcycles, commented: “The Spring and Autumn sales at Stafford are the flagship sale events of the motorcycle calendar, connecting genuine motorcycles with enthusiasts and collectors.
“Stafford is our second home and everyone in the Bonhams motorcycles team is delighted to extend the partnership with Mortons.”
Nigel Hole, Commercial Director, Mortons Media Group, added: “We’re delighted to continue working with Bonhams and further developing a very successful formula that has produced record-breaking auctions at record-breaking shows!”
