Bonhams fires up the classics for a vintage-packed Autumn Stafford Sale at the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show.
ENTER YOUR BIKE NOW!
The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show | 11-12 October 2025
Bonhams are now inviting entries for their Autumn Stafford Sale – whether it’s a barn-find BSA, a concours Ducati, a one-owner superbike, or an entire collection, Bonhams want to hear from you.
Bonhams has been setting the benchmark for motorcycle auctions globally – with over £4.4 Million sold already this year – and right now is a great time to get involved.
If you’re thinking of selling – or even just considering it – get in touch. No pressure, just proper advice and global exposure for when the time is right.
Let Bonhams make your bike the next headline lot. Contact the Bonhams Motorcycle Team today!
- Email: motorcycles@bonhams.com
- Telephone: +44 (0)20 8963 2817
- Website: www.bonhams.com/motorcycles
After the phenomenal success of Bonhams’ Spring Stafford Sale – which roared past expectations, achieving £3.2 Million and an industry-leading 96% sell-through rate – the Bonhams Motorcycle Team is now gearing up for their highly-anticipated Autumn Stafford Sale.
With an exceptional lineup of motorcycles already entered – including some of the rarest and most coveted machines on the planet – Bonhams’ auction is shaping up to be an unmissable highlight of the season. Early consignments include:
One of just 78 examples of the Series ‘A’ were produced before the outbreak of war curtailed production. The 13th Series ‘A’ Rapide built, DNK was tested by none other than George Brown, and retains its original frame, engine, gearbox and registration number. Benefiting from a painstaking restoration, with a focus on accuracy, originality, and road-readiness. This is one of the most evocative and historically significant British motorcycles of the pre-war era – a true ‘holy grail’ machine that shaped the future of high-performance motorcycles, making it a crown jewel for any collector!
Bonhams’ Jonathan Vickers, Regional Manager for the South West – and renowned for the unearthing of the legendary “Broughs of Bodmin Moor,” one of the most significant motorcycle discoveries in recent history – has revealed a remarkable trio of Veteran motorcycles from the pioneering era of motorcycling:
Left: c.1909 ‘Chater Lea’-JAP 300cc – Estimate £3,500 – 4,500
Centre: 1910 Bradbury 3½hp Motorcycle with Wicker Sidecar – Estimate £7,000 – 10,000
Right: 2025 VMCC Banbury Run, Feridax Trophy Winner, 1911 Douglas 2¾hp Model D – Estimate £7,000 – 9,000
Formerly the property of Kenneth Neve OBE and Alain de Cadenet, 1929 Brough Superior SS100 ‘JTOR’
Estimate £160,000 – 200,000
This Bentley & Draper spring-framed SS100 was originally supplied new to a Mr Sexton of southwest London in July 1929. Little is known of its early history until the 1960s, when it was acquired by the late Kenneth Neve OBE of Cheshire – an iconic figure in British vintage motoring. Neve, a former President of the Vintage Sports-Car Club and one of the founding figures behind its Northern Section, had a long and celebrated association with significant machinery, including Vauxhall 30-98s, Bugattis, and Brough Superiors, the latter of which he campaigned at Brooklands.
Neve sold this SS100 in 1975 to the late great racing driver, collector, and broadcaster Alain de Cadenet. Today, it remains in superb ‘garage find’ condition – a remarkable discovery, from the ownership of two giants of the historic motoring world.
Bonhams is proud to present the Neil Redley Collection, a tribute to the post-war motorcycles of the iconic British manufacturer Velocette. Renowned for their pioneering engineering, racing pedigree, and exceptional craftsmanship, amongst the highlights of the collection is the Earls Court Motorcycle Show, 1956 Velocette 499cc Venom (estimate £6,000–10,000), originally unveiled at the 1955 Earls Court Motorcycle Show. This is the very first production model, showcased in its correct Dove Grey and Beige livery – a striking departure from the era’s convention, when motorcycles were famously offered in “any colour you wanted, as long as it was black.”
Neil’s remarkable collection also features other exotic examples such as the 1970 Indian-Velocette 499cc Thruxton (Estimate £8,000 – 12,000) and the c.1970 Indian-Velocette 499cc Venom (Estimate £6,500 – 8,500) both from a limited production run of just around 150 units. These Indian-Velocette motorcycles emerged from a post- war collaboration between Clymer’s revived Indian brand, Italian-made frames, and the British manufacturer
Velocette. The partnership aimed to help Indian compete with Harley-Davidson and growing foreign competition by rebranding high-quality British machines for the American market.
Front Left: AJS 780cc V-Twin OHC World Speed Record Attempt Replica – Estimate £40,000 – 50,000 Front Right: 1933 AJS 474cc 33-7 Camshaft ‘Trophy’ Competition Model – Estimate £15,000 – 25,000 Back Left: 1929/31 AJS 495cc M/S10 – Estimate £12,000 – 15,000
Back Right: c.1927 AJcette 348cc – Estimate £12,000 – 15,000
Richard Johns had a 45-year career in the engine industry, beginning in 1969 as a student with Perkins Engines. After earning a PhD from Imperial College London in 1980, he worked with AVL, Ricardo Consulting Engineers, and CD-adapco (now part of Siemens), specialising in Computational Fluid Dynamics for internal combustion engines. Since retiring in 2015 Richard has been devoted to the restoration of his vintage Overhead Cam AJS and Velocette motorcycles – which ride just as well as they look!
Superstar Auctioneer Briony Harford aboard 1955 Vincent 998cc Series-D Black Prince Estimate £50,000 – 60,000
Ever since the Series-A’s arrival in 1937, the Vincent-HRD v-twin had been synonymous with design innovation, engineering excellence, and superlative high performance, and in 1955 It had been Philip Vincent’s belief that provision of ample weather protection combined with enclosure of engine and gearbox would make the Vincent Series D the ultimate ‘gentleman’s motorcycle’. One of only around 132 Black Prince models ever produced, this breathtaking 1955 example has undergone a professional restoration by renowned marque specialists, with over £25,000 invested in its revival.
Bring your Motorcycle to Bonhams, we’ll sell it to the world!
This is set to be a landmark auction! Make history by showcasing your motorcycle and take advantage of our industry-leading sell-through rate, unmatched catalogue marketing, and global reach.
Further entries are invited. Don’t delay – contact the Bonhams Motorcycle Team today:
- TO REQUEST ACOMPLIMENTARY AUCTION VALUATION
- FOR DETAILS OF YOUR NEAREST SPECIALIST
- TO DISCUSS SELLING AND BUYING AT AUCTION
- TO DISCUSS YOUR PROBATE VALUATION REQUIREMENTS
- FOR WILL AND ESTATE PLANNING
□ Email: motorcycles@bonhams.com
Telephone: +44 (0)20 8963 2817
- Website: www.bonhams.com/motorcycles
2025 Bonhams Auction Schedule
The Bonhams Motorcycle team look forward to welcoming you to both their live and online auctions throughout 2025.
| Bonhams 2025 Live Stafford Motorcycle Sales |
| The Autumn Stafford Sale – The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show, 11 – 12 October 2025 |
| Bonhams 2025 Online Motorcycle Sales (Milton Keynes) |
| Motorcycles Online – The Winter Sale – Online, 5 – 15 December 2025 |
More auction news can be found on our dedicated page here: Motorcycle Auction News
For more information on Bonhams Motorcycles Auctions head to the official website: Bonhams Motorcycles
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Original post on modernclassicbikes.co.uk and published by Frank Duggan. Frank is the Founder and Editor of Modern Classic Motorcycle News, an independent motorcycle publication covering modern classic motorcycles, roadsters, scramblers, cruisers, electric motorcycles and the wider motorcycle industry.
