Auction Preview – Nest Egg Spring 2020 Automobilia Auction

On June 27th, Nest Egg Auctions has 430 lots going up as part of their Spring 2020 Automobilia Auction. Seven of them are motorcycles:

Here’s the complete list of lots, and here are my three favorites:

1. Condor A350 – estimate $2,500-$3,500.
A bike built for the Swiss Army, the Condor A350 was produced between ’73 and ’79. 3,000 were produced, and the military only started releasing them to the public about 15 years ago. Throughout its history, Condor typically bought engines from other manufacturers, and they kept that trend going when they signed a contract to supply bikes for the Swiss military. Using Ducati 350cc singles (valve spring, not desmodromic) with some modifications to help the engine run with poor quality gas, along with Marzocchi forks and Grimeca wheels/brakes, this was an effective runabout that was able to handle the ups and downs of the Alps. This example is said to be i running condition with Pennsylvania registration from 2006.

2. 1977 Malaguti Commuter – estimate $600-$800. Founded in 1930, Malaguti is an Italian company that went out of business in 2011. Their glory days were arguably the 70s, when they offered small mopeds like the appropriately-named Commuter. It was powered by a Morini motor, and this example is offered with a bill of sale.

3. ~1965 Hercules Prior K50 – estimate $2,000-$3,000.
I had never heard of the Prior before, but in period advertising Hercules called it “the hottest stock 50cc on the market” thanks to the 5.2 horsepower Sachs motor, a 5-speed transmission, and double 21″ wheels. The gas tank carried 3.5 gallons – pretty impressive considering claimed consumption was 110 miles per gallon! Hercules was not allowed to use their name in the British market, so they sold two-wheelers under the “Prior” name. This is said to start and ride and it’s sold with a bill of sale.