Maria Costello MBE has joined Iconic Auctioneers in a motorcycle consignment role, strengthening the company’s specialist team at a time of growing activity across its motorcycle sales calendar.
One of the most successful British female motorcycle racers, Maria brings decades of competition experience, deep market knowledge and trusted connections within the global motorcycle community to support vendors and buyers alike.
Widely regarded as one of the most successful British female motorcycle racers, Maria Costello’s career spans more than 30 years. Her achievements include a Guinness World Record at the Isle of Man TT, becoming the first woman to stand on a solo podium at the Manx Grand Prix and the only woman to achieve a podium finish in the Classic TT Senior race. She also remains the only woman to have competed in both solo and sidecar races at the Isle of Man TT.
Alongside modern machinery, Maria has extensive experience racing classic motorcycles for leading teams and private collectors on some of the world’s most demanding circuits. This first-hand understanding of significant historic machines, their provenance and their place in the market underpins her new role with Iconic Auctioneers. She will work closely with vendors to advise on consignments, values and presentation, while helping collectors place important motorcycles in front of the right buyers.
In 2009, Maria was appointed MBE for services to motorcycling and she remains the only female motorcycle racer to receive this honour. Away from racing, she is an experienced presenter, mentor and ambassador, and was the first woman to serve as President of the TT Riders Association Charity.
Commenting on the appointment, Mark Bryan, Motorcycle Manager at Iconic Auctioneers, said: “Maria is hugely respected across every corner of the motorcycle world. Her experience as a racer, her knowledge of classic and modern machines and her reputation for straight talking advice make her a perfect fit for Iconic Auctioneers. She understands what matters to owners and collectors, and she will be a real asset to anyone considering selling a motorcycle with us.”
Maria Costello MBE added: “Motorcycles are about far more than the machines themselves. They carry history, stories and personal meaning. Iconic Auctioneers shares that understanding and makes the process clear and approachable. I am looking forward to working with owners and collectors and helping great motorcycles find their next custodians.”
Maria’s arrival forms part of an active year ahead for Iconic Auctioneers’ motorcycle department. In 2026, the company will introduce two new motorcycle auctions, debuting at Race Retro in February and at Kempton Park Motorcycle Autojumble in July, alongside its established sales at Shuttleworth (in April) and the NEC Classic Motor Show (in November). Together, the expanding calendar and specialist team underline Iconic Auctioneers’ position as a trusted route to market for motorcycles at every level, from everyday enthusiast machines to significant collectors’ examples.
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For more information on Iconic Auctioneers, head to the official website: iconicauctioneers.com
ABOUT ICONIC AUCTIONEERS
Iconic Auctioneers was founded in 2011 (originally as Silverstone Auctions) and rebranded in August 2023. As a world-class, specialist auction house, it handles the sale of classic, competition and modern supercars, plus an extensive range of collectors’ vehicles, historic motorcycles and automobilia. Among the UK’s leading auction houses, Iconic Auctioneers holds exclusive automotive auction rights at high-profile events including The NEC Classic Motor Show, The Silverstone Festival, Supercar Fest, Race Retro and The Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show at the NEC. It also oversees private sales and monthly timed online auctions.
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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.
