You know the drill – there’s an auction coming up (although I missed this one, it happens tomorrow!) so I wanted to show you a few of my favorites. Let’s go to the suburbs of London!
As always, here’s the complete list of bikes (if you poke around you’ll find all the listings as well). Or, here are my four favorites:
1954 Ceccato 175cc Turismo – estimated to sell between $4,200 – $4,800.
I have to admit, I’ve never heard of Ceccato before. The company was founded by a pharmacist in 1948 and started with a moped before expanding into beautiful bikes like this. One of his engine designers was Fabio Taglioni himself, who of course went on to design the Ducati desmo system. This bike was restored many years ago and then spent time in a private collection where it got all of 1 kilometer put on it. At one point in the past it had run the Moto Giro d’Italia. I’m not a fan of the front fender but I think everything else is quite lovely.
1981 Triumph T140V Royal Wedding – estimated to sell between $6,000 – $9,100.
Built to celebrate the wedding of Charles and Diana, this bike got a chromium-plated tank, black finish on the engine, twin disc brakes, and alloy wheels. 125 were made for the UK and another 125 for the rest of the world. This one-owner bike is #108 of #250 and has been sitting for the last ten years.
1951 Rumi 125 – estimated to sell between $4,500-$6,000.
A scooter that could leave behind 250cc bikes in the dust, the Rumi was powered by a 125cc parallel-twin two stroke engine, an engine that would go on to power a wide variety of Rumi’s two-wheelers. This example is an older restoration with 56,300 miles on the odometer.
Last but not least, my favorite – a 1952 Sunbeam-Porsche Special – estimated to sell between $14,000 – $17,000.
In 1969, Gordon Griffiths decided he was wanted more power in his Sunbeam S8. He started with the 1,200cc engine from a VW Beetle – but that wasn’t good enough. So he then went with a ’55 Porsche A-series powerplant with some modifications.
It was road tested in Motorcycle News and impressed at many shows.
The bike evolved over time and now has a BMW fuel tank and turn signals, Norton ‘Roadholder’ forks, Boyer-Bransden electronic ignition, and the Smiths speedo from a Vincent Black Shadow.
I can’t help myself with these auction previews, I always have to feature one bonus car. So here’s a 1949 Larmar Monocar – estimated to sell between $7,500 – $11,000.
This adorable runabout is just 28.5 inches wide, and could thus fit through many doorways. The engine was a 249cc BSA motorcycle unit, stuck in the rear (and only powering one of the rear two wheels). It was produced between ’46 and ’51 and was apparently designed “primarily for invalids”. This example spent the last 40 years in a museum and is currently believed to be the only survivor in roadworthy condition – though the electric starter needs attention.
There’s also a nice Ariel W/NG, FB Mondial 125, Levi’s 6 Port, and a Scott Flying Squirrel – so head on over to Bonhams for the full list!