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Sale of British Golden Age motorcycles for Bonhams Amelia Island

Those browsing Bonhams’ catalog for its Amelia Island auction might have noticed that a large percentage of the folder is taken up by classic British motorcycles.

The reason is the inclusion of the Charles Jacobs Collection, 46 motorcycles amassed over the years by the late Jacksonville, Florida resident and regular entrant in the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance motorcycle class.

While Bonhams’ annual Amelia Island auction, held this year on March 3, is usually dedicated to classic cars, Jacobs motorcycles make up a good proportion of the 180 vehicles that will pass through the block.

“Offered entirely without reserve, the (Jacobs) collection includes some of the most prestigious and rare names in British motorcycling history – from Brough Superior to Vincent – and offers motorcycling enthusiasts a rare opportunity to acquire these examples of its golden age,” Bonhams said in a press release. “In addition, proceeds from the sale of one of the lots, a 1954 Norton Big 4, will be donated to a local charity.”

Motorcycle group highlights include:

1936 Brough Superior SS-80 Incomparable, known as the Rolls-Royce of motorcycles, with a polished Watsonian sidecar fitted to the left side for British roads. Estimated value between $80,000 and $100,000.

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1951 Vincent 499cc Cometestimated between $20,000 and $30,000, presented at the Amelia Island competition.

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Circa-1927 Grindlay Peerless SO4 Model 350 Single-port JAP “Dog Ear”, a rare machine from the short-lived pre-war British sidecar turned motorcycle manufacturer, which produced the first 500cc motorcycle to exceed 100mph on British soil. Estimated between $30,000 and $40,000.

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1934 Ariel 4F Square Four, also known as the Squariel, this innovative model remains unique in motorcycle history, with its unique four-cylinder block and twin geared crankshafts with 180-degree phased pistons. Estimated between $25,000 and $35,000.

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1938 Triumph Tiger 90, an overhead valve single that was part of a revamped Triumph range introduced in 1937, created by chief designer Edward Turner, who had previously been responsible for the Ariel Square Four. Estimated between $20,000 and $30,000.

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1963 BSA 499cc Gold Star, one of the last examples of BSA’s legendary café racer, one of the most successful production motorcycles. “This DBD 500cc model is considered the ultimate ‘Goldie’ with its famous RRT2 close ratio gearbox and standard 190mm front brake,” Bonhams says in its description. Estimated between $15,000 and $20,000.

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1954 Norton Big 4, named after the company’s first motorcycle driven by its own in-house engine, the 633cc ‘Big 4’ was the most powerful machine in Norton’s lineup. Proceeds from the sale of this motorcycle will benefit Spina Bifida of Jacksonville. Estimated between $8,000 and $12,000.

“Motorcycles have rarely been offered at the various auctions held over the years during Amelia Island Concours week, and Bonhams is delighted to finally fill that gap with the Charles Jacobs collection,” said Mathieu Guyot- Sionnest, Bonhams US Motoring specialist.

In addition to these 46 motorcycles, eight cars will be offered from the Jacobs collection, all without reserve, led by an elegant 1934 Packard Series 1101 Eight Club Sedan, estimated between $70,000 and $90,000.

The Bonhams live auction will take place at the Fernandina Beach Golf Club on Thursday, March 3, starting at 10 a.m. for motorcycles and automobilia, and 1 p.m. for automobiles.

For more information, visit the Bonhams website.

Honda CB400F world record price highlights UK motorcycle sales

In the middle of the motorcycle adornment presented by Silverstone’s The very first self-driving motorcycle auction was what could easily have been overlooked as a relatively ordinary vintage motorcycle, a 1978 Honda CB400F.

But it was a Honda with a difference. The 400cc 4 cylinder motorcycle has never been used, presented as 100% complete and original, and with only one mile on the odometer.

As such, it sold for a whopping £15,975 ($21,604), an impressive result that broke the world record for this model sold at auction.

The 1936 Brough Superior was the top seller

Silverstone Auction’s sale of 120 motorcycles took place at the Carol Nash MCN Motorcycle Show at ExCel in London, where it achieved sales of £767,000 ($1,037,760) and a sell-through rate of 75%.

The top-selling motorcycle in the auction was a “superbly presented” 1936 Brough Superior SS80 982cc, which sold for £61,875 ($8,3717).

1927-triumph-works-tt-race-1280x786-1 The 1927 Triumph Works TT is believed to have a racing history on the Isle of Man

Another historically significant motorcycle was a 1927 Triumph Works TT 489cc racing motorcycle, believed to be one of six works riders entered by Triumph in the Isle of Man TT races in 1927, and which sold £41,625 ($56,319).

Starting the auction was a special appearance by TT motorcycle racing legend Maria Costello MBE, who is an ambassador for the motorcycle brand, as she reviewed some of the special motorcycle offers on sale, including the record-breaking Honda.

Silverstone’s next motorcycle auction will take place during the MCN Motorcycle Festival at the East of England Arena, Peterborough on May 15. For the full results of the London auction, visit the Silverstone website.

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The former head of JLR becomes president of the motorcycle brand

Former Jaguar Land Rover CEO Ralf Speth has been named the new chairman of TVS Motor Company.

Effective April 1, Speth takes on the new role alongside Venu Srinivasan who serves as the General Manager.

Ralf Speth started his career at BMW and completed his PhD at the University of Warwick.

Formerly CEO of JLR, Speth will continue to serve on the board as Vice Chairman.

TVS Motor Company bought Norton Motorcycles from administration in April 2020, closing its Castle Donnington base and moving to Solihull.

Creating 100 jobs at its new global headquarters, the facility includes the company’s global design and R&D center, customer showroom and service workshops.

At the National Manufacturing Summit in Coventry, Mayor Andy Street said following the announcement of Speth’s appointment that TVS had “taken over a moribund former British motorcycle brand and they will manufacture electric motor motorcycles A great story about the success of foreign investment.

The new production line aims to produce over 8,000 motorcycles per year, which have been thoroughly examined to ensure the highest quality standards are met.

Norton says it hopes to optimize sustainability and reduce waste to landfills through detailed review of operations. Many durable and fast construction techniques were used on the project, the components of which are reconfigurable at almost 50% as a proportion of the total construction cost.