2012 Bristol Bonhams Motorcycles

Bonhams auction of Vintage and Classic Motorcycles at The Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show on 18th February 2012 was an outstanding success selling 96 percent by lot and 94 percent by value.

The sale total was £316,231($495,249) - double the low estimate of £158,750 ($248,618). The top-selling lot of the day was a 1932 Brough Superior Black Alpine 680, which smashed its estimate of £28,000-35,000 ($48,000 to $55,000) to sell for £64,220 ($100,570).

Ben Walker (Head of Motorcycles) says: "The sale result was a remarkable achievement, thereby proving it is possible to hold a successful auction at this event, as well as proving once again the power of the one-owner collection and realistic estimates."

One of the highlights of the day was the Chichester Collection of over 50 'barn find' and low mileage machines, which attracted many bidders. All the collection sold with many motorcycles selling for two, three or four times their pre-sale estimate.

In fact,the percentage of lots sold in excess of their pre-sale estimate was one of the highest ever seen in a Bonhams auction.

Mark Chichester says: "What a show!! It was very professional and I for one was completely awe struck. Thanks you Bonhams for all you did."

The Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show is a well known and much loved event that has been running for 32 years, and Bonhams was thrilled to be invited to host an auction there.

Other highlights of the sale included a 1955 Vincent 998cc Series-D Rapide (£27,600), a 1975 Ducati 864cc 900SS (£13,800), a 1938 Ariel 995cc Model 4G ‘Square Four' & Sidecar (£12,075) and a 1947 Velocette 349cc KSS MkII (£9,775).