A Harley-Davidson signed by Pope Francis is the holy highlight of the Bonham’s Autumn Stafford sale in the UK on 19-20 October 2019.
The 2016 Custom Cycle “White Unique” is estimated to fetch up to $A180,000 when it is offered for sale on 20 October, 2019, with all proceeds to be donated to charity.
White Unique was created at the suggestion of Dr Thomas Draxler, founder of the Jesus Bikers group in Austria, as a fundraising vehicle, to be donated to the Pontifical Mission Societies (Missio), the official support for Catholic overseas missions.
White Unique
Bavarian-based Harley Davidson dealer, Würzburg Village, supplied the Softail and collaborated with the Jesus Bikers on its customisation.
As the name suggests, the machine is finished in pearlescent white, with Chicano (Mexican American) style detailing, numerous gold-plated components, a Dorne wreath ornament, a sunken cross and Pope Francis’ signature on the tank.
The Harley Davidson was unveiled to the public in Würzburg on 29 June 2019 before being accompanied by the Jesus Bikers to the Vatican, via Assisi, where the ‘Pope Bike’ was handed over to the Vatican at a ceremony with His Holiness in St Peter’s Square on 7 July.
Holy bikes
Holy Softail
The holy Harley is the latest in a short succession of holy motorcycles and cars donated to the Papacy and sold on for charity.
Motorcycles belonging to the late Bruce Brown, director of perhaps the greatest motorcycle film of all time, On Any Sunday, will go on sale next month.
Bruce died of natural causes, aged 80, died in December 2017, but his legend lives on in his Academy Award nominated 1971 film.
Brown’s Triumph was his first real motorcycle after he traded in his Honda step-through scooter to help with the purchase.
Brown’s 1976 Triumph T20 Mountain Cub
It opened the door to a friendship with Hollywood actor Steve McQueen, which led to the making of On Any Sunday. It’s in original, unrestored condition, with matching numbers and low mileage.
Brown’s Husky was given to him by Edison Dye, the then exclusive US importer of Husqvarna.
In a now famous gesture of brilliant product placement, Dye donated several 250 Cross models for the film.
In a letter dated 21 April 1970 from Dye to Brown, it says that this bike is “for your use of your filming of your new motorcycle movie”.
Film favourite
The director filmed many documentaries, but his iconic bike film kickstarted millions of riders in the ‘70s, including this scribe.
It is still a favourite for its coverage of contemporary flat track racing, desert racing and the playful final dune scenes with McQueen.
Bruce (right) with cast and crew including Steve McQueen (second left) on Huskies
The final scene was filmed at sunset at the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
“I figured there would be no way to get approval to film on the Marine base,” Bruce said.
“Steve McQueen said he’d see what he could find out. The next day he called and was told to contact some General and the next thing you know we are shooting the beach sequences. It was pretty amazing the doors he was able to open.”
Director gets funding
McQueen gave the director more than $300,00o to film the documentary after receiving a “cold call pitch” from the filmmaker.
Brown is also well known as the director of 1966 surfing documentary Endless Summer.
After On Any Sunday, Bruce went into semi-retirement, restoring and racing cars, playing the stock market, and deep-sea fishing.
In 1992, he returned with a lacklustre Endless Summer II.
Brown was born in 1937 in San Francisco and at the age of 10 his family moved to Long Beach where he developed an interest in surfing.
Bruce caught the riding bug in the early 1960s after visiting Japan.
“I remember going to Ascot Park and watching the dirt track races,” Brown says on his website.
“I met a few of the racers and was struck by how approachable and how nice most of these guys were. It wasn’t at all like the image a lot of people had about motorcycle riders in those days. I just thought it would be neat to do a movie about motorcycle racing and the people involved.”
Bruce’s son, Dana, has carried on the documentary tradition, with his 2003 surfing documentary Step Into Liquid, his 2005 Baja 1000 documentary Dust to Glory and his 2014 On Any Sunday sequel.
Imagine how much you would make the ladies swoon if you turned up for your Sunday morning ride on the bike Hollywood star Richard Gere rode in An Officer and a Gentleman!
The bike is one of several included in the Icons and Legends of Hollywood sale on 25-26 September 2019 which also includes hundreds of props, costumes and items from Hollywood movies and TV shows.
The 1978 Triumph Bonneville ridden by Richard Gere is one of two used in the 1982 movie.
It was bought from Dewey’s Cycles in Seattle, Washington, and is expected to sell for up to $US30,000 (about $A43,700).
However, it’s not the most valuable motorcycle in the auction.
That honour goes to the 1988 Ukranian Dnepr outfit ridden by Harrison Ford and Sean Connery in the 1984 film Indian Jones and the Last Crusade.
It was painted a vintage olive colour to appear like a German WWII BMW military motorcycle.
It was one of three bikes used in the film and is expected to sell for up to $US60,000 (about $A87,400).
Other notable motorcycles in the auction include:
The Kawasaki 1000 police motorcycle ridden by Mel Gibson in Lethal Weapon 3 is valued at up to $US3000 (about $A4370) and includes an intentionally broken windscreen; and
A “Kawasaki” V-tw2in custom bike ridden by Wesley Snipes in the 1998 movie Blade, valued at up to $US30,000 (about $A43,700).
Other Hollywood vehicles
There is a host of Hollywood memorabilia from Harry Potter’s glasses to Star Wars spaceship models.
The most valuable item in the action is the moon buggy driven by Sean Connery as 007 in the 1971 movie Diamonds are Forever.
The unique buggy, dreamed up by Academy Award-winning production designer Ken Adam and built by California custom-car legend Dean Jeffries, has an estimated value of up to $US600,000 (about $A875,000).
Other vehicles include the Dragula dragster, created by “King of Kustomizers” George Barris for Grampa Munster to race in The Munsters TV show and subsequent movies.
The gold coffin-bodied racer is valued at up to $US120,000 (about $A175,000).
Dragula
Another of Barris’s custom cars in the auction isJed Clampett’s jalopy truck from the 1993 movie spinoff of The Beverly Hillbillies.
Jed’s jalopy
While not the truck from the TV series (which Barris also built), it’s still totally recognisable, especially with Granny’s rocker perched up top.
The auction company expects it to bring up to $US50,000 (about $A73,000).
Elvis Presley’s last motorcycle, a 1972 1200cc FLH Electra Glide, has sold for $US800,000 (about $A1.2m), failing to beat an Aussie bike’s auction record.
Kruse GWS Auctions had expected the Elvis bike set auction records, believing it was worth as much as $A3m.
However, it was sold at almost a quarter of that value.
That means the auction record remains with an Australian-owned 1951 Vincent Black Lightning aptly sold on Australia Day 2018.
There were 22 bids for the “King’s” bike, his last before he died in 1977, aged just 42.
Elvis bought the customised FLH full dresser in California on 11 August 1976 and shipped it to his home at Graceland, Memphis.
He barely rode the bike, clocking up just 202km in less than a year before he sold it to a local Harley dealership 90 days before he died.
Elvis often gave away his favourite “toys” after a short time of enjoyment, substantiating his lifelong charitable nature.
The immaculately preserved Harley includes a number of custom features, with Presley choosing a black and blue two-tone paint job, stitched leather seat and chrome accents.
Incredibly, the bike was still registered in Presley’s name and has been on show at the Murdo South Dakota Pioneer Auto Museum for over 30 years.
The motorcycle has been housed in a glass museum quality display for its entire stay at the museum and guests have never been allowed to touch it.
Elvis Presley’s last motorcycle, a 1972 1200cc FLH Electra Glide, will go up for sale on 31 August 2019 at Kruse GWS Auctions and is expected to set auction records.
GWS Auctions believe the motorcycle is worth about $A3m.
If it does, it would smash the current auction record set on Australia Day 2018 by an Australian-owned 1951 Vincent Black Lightning.
Now the “King” is expected to eclipse those records with even more star power.
After buying a Harley Davidson Sportster 1000 as a gift, Elvis purchased the customised FLH full dresserin California on 11 August 1976 and shipped it to his home at Graceland, Memphis.
He barely rode the bike, clocking up just 202km in less than a year before he sold it to a local Harley dealership 90 days before he died in 1977, aged just 42.
Elvis often gave away his favourite “toys” after a short time of enjoyment, substantiating his lifelong charitable nature.
The immaculately preserved Harley includes a number of custom features, with Presley choosing a black and blue two-tone paint job, stitched leather seat and chrome accents.
Incredibly, the bike i
s still registered in Presley’s name and has been on show at the Murdo South Dakota Pioneer Auto Museum for over 30 years.
The motorcycle has been housed in a glass museum quality display for its entire stay at the museum and guests have never been allowed to touch it.
A collection of motorcycles gathered over 40 years by motorcycle manufacturer and Grand Prix boss Giancarlo Morbidelli is being offered for sale at auction.
The annual Bonhams Autumn Stafford Sale on 18-20 October 2019 will be the largest single private collection of motorcycles to be offered by Bonhams to date.The Morbidelli Collection from Pesaro, Italy, has more than 300 motorcycles.
“He spent day and night in the museum,” says his son Guianni. “He had no other life.”
Giancarlo Morbidelli and a Morbidelli V8
Giancarlo’s collection includes international brands such as Harley-Davidson, Honda and Benelli ranging from immaculate restorations to prototypes and barn finds.
They represent the passion of the farmer’s son and former woodworking machinist who, while building up a successful engineering firm as his day job, spent his spare time on tuning, racing and later building his own motorcycles.
Highlights
Two examples from the Morbidelli Grand Prix racing motorcycle collection, largely designed and built by Giancarlo, were fabricated by a small, dedicated team in a corner of the Morbidelli woodworking factory.
These proved to be ‘giant killers’ seeing off international corporations to claim the 125cc Grand Prix World Championship in three consecutive years: 1975, ‘76 and ‘77, as well as winning the 250cc world title in 1977.
“He was a genius with bikes,” says Gianni.
“He did everything by himself, working in a very small room.
“Forty years ago, he laid the foundation of this incredible museum, spending a lot of effort, time, energy and money.
“One part of the museum is dedicated to the period between the end of the 1960s to the 1980s when he built racing motorcycles. It’s our family heritage, a part of our life, but we thought it would be correct to include in the sale two Morbidelli motorcycles that my father built.”
The 1974 Morbidelli 125cc Grand Prix motorcycle is estimated to fetch up to £120,000 ($A214,500).
1974 Morbidelli 125
It was raced by the great Angel Nieto to second place in that year’s Spanish and German Grand Prix.
A 250cc machine designed for 15-time Grand Prix world champion Giacomo Agostini, who rode for the team during its golden period in 1976, and came second at Misano is estimated to fetch up £100,000 ($A179,000).
Agostini’s 1976 Moridelli 250
However, the Morbidelli family will retain ownership of the majority of the Morbidelli Grand Prix motorcycles, including the world championship winning 125cc and 250cc examples, raced respectively by Paoli Pileri, Pierpaolo Bianchi and Lego Mario.
Benelli features
1942 Benelli 250 GP supercharged
Not surprisingly, the Morbidelli Museum collection in the sale features a strong showing of Benelli motorcycles which were also a great passion of Giancarlo, coming from Pesaro, where this great historic brand was also founded.
One of the most interesting examples of the marque on offer is the 1942 250cc supercharged 4-cylinder example that could fetch more than £600,000 ($A1m).
This racing machine never actually raced. It was built just in time for motorcycle racing to be stopped due to the war, while supercharging was banned by the FIM in post-war years.
Giancarlo had a personal relationship and friendship with the Benelli family and so was able to procure the original parts which he rebuilt into a fully-functioning motorcycle.
Other Benellis to be offered include:
1950 Benelli 250cc Grand Prix racing motorcycle – the world championship motorcycle ridden to victory by Dario Ambrosini. Estimate £120,000 – 180,000.
1934 Benelli 175cc Bialbero – believed raced by Dorino Serafini, one of only three in the world. Estimate £40,000 – 60,000.
1964 Benelli 250 Grand Prix racing motorcycle, ridden and signed by two-time world champion Tarquino Provini. Estimate £80,000 – 120,000.
Ducati jewel
1964 Ducati 125cc
Another jewel of the Morbidelli Collection is the 1964 Ducati 125cc 4-cylinder Grand Prix racing motorcycle, (estimate £400,000 – 600,000), another GP racing machine which never raced. Created by Fabio Taglioni, Ducati’s chief engineer, this motorcycle disappeared for some years before its engine was found in Russia while its chassis reappeared in Yugoslavia, now Croatia. With the two essential components reunited, Giancarlo rebuilt the mythical motorcycle.
Alongside the pristine restorations, there are several unfinished projects in the sale, offering the opportunity to restore these machines as Giancarlo was hoping to.
The collection also comprises motorcycling memorabilia including Giancarlo’s own reference library, original drawings, trophies, signage and other artefacts, giving a complete picture of the museum and the motorcycling world.
If you are looking for some affordable, restored classics you can ride away, there are seven on the block at the upcoming Shannons Sydney Winter Auction on August 26 – most with ‘no reserve’.
The highlight for British motorcycle enthusiasts is a 1970 650cc Triumph Bonneville T120R (photo above), presented in restored condition and expected to sell in the $12,000-$16,000 range.
There are also two classic ‘intra-War’ BSA twin cylinder 500cc solos: a restored 1941 BSA WM20 and an unrestored, but complete 1946 M20. Each is expected to sell with ‘no reserve’ in the $7000-$10,000 range.
Unrestored 1943 BSA M20
As an alternative for British classic motorcycle enthusiasts, there is a single-cylinder, 125cc 1948 Royal Enfield ‘Flying Flea’ motorcycle. Presented in useable condition and offered with ‘no reserve’, it is expected to sell in the $4000-$6000 range.
Royal Enfield Flying Flea
There are two great Japanese 1980s dirt bikes: a 1980 80cc Suzuki RM80T and a mighty 600cc 1983 Honda XL600R –both fresh from similar ground-up restorations and neither being used since completion.
Honda XL600R
Each is offered with ‘no reserve’, with the Suzuki expected to sell for $2000-$3000 and the Honda for $3000-$6000.
Japanese collectors may be interested in an unrestored example of Yamahas first road model – the 650cc XS-1.
This original classic is in good rideable condition and expected to sell with ‘no reserve’ in the $9000-$13,000 range.
To view all Shannons August 26 Sydney Winter Auction lots, visit www.shannons.com.au
Eight Triumph Bonnevilles professionally restored by a Canberra enthusiast are coming up for auction at Shannons Late Autumn sale in Sydney on May 20.
The Bonnevilles are among 18 classic motorcycles in the 55 lot vehicle and memorabilia auction.
Two standout Triumphs on offer are a 1959 first year Pre-Unit Bonneville T120 650cc (pictured above) and a 1970 Bonneville T120R with just 1004 miles on its odometer since its ground-up restoration ($20,000-$24,000).
1970 Triumph T120R
Both motorcycles are in their correct colours.
The 1959 ‘Bonnie’ is understood to be just the 102nd T120 model built early that year.
It has covered just 605 miles since its restoration. Shannon’s says the guiding range for bids is likely to be $45,000-$48,000.
The 1970 T120R is important to collectors as the last Bonneville model built with its oil tank under the seat before Triumph adopted an oil-in-frame system.
Triumph Bonnevilles
Other Triumph Bonnevilles being auctioned in similar fully-restored condition include examples from 1963, 1964, 1969 and 1970, with guiding ranges spanning $18,000-$25,000.
Another earlier Triumph motorcycle in the auction is an older-restored circa-1926 Model P 500cc solo offered as part of a deceased estate.
It is expected to sell in the $8000-$10,000 range.
An alternative for veteran bike enthusiasts is a rare circa-1910 single-cylinder Speedwell early Australian motorcycle.
1910 single-cylinder Speedwell
It would be ideal for a collector or museum and is expected to bring $18,000-$22,000.
Both are being offered with no reserve.
Other interesting motorcycles in the auction include two restored Suzuki RM80 motocross motorcycles from 1978 and 1981.
Suzuki RM80
Both are offered with no reserve and each is expected to sell for $2,000-$3,000.
Also expected to create strong interest among Ducati enthusiasts is a one-owner 2002 Limited Edition 748R from the model’s final year of production.
2002 Limited Edition Ducati 748R
It is believed to be one of only 10 delivered to Australia in red. The bike is expected to sell with no reserve for $14,000-$18,000.
Other motorcycles offered with no reserve include:
A very original ex-military BSA WM21 equipped with pannier bags and other period accessories that would make a great club bike ($8,000-$10,000); and
BSA WM21
A circa-1936 ACME Autocycle that hasn’t been ridden for many years, but is in complete and original condition ($1500-$2000).
To view all Shannons May 20 Sydney Late Autumn Auction lots, visit www.shannons.com.au
The Brough Superior outfit used in the hit British comedy TV shows George and Mildred and Dad’s Army has sold at a record auction along with a bike owned by stunt rider Bud Ekins who did the famous fence jump in The Great Escape.
Proving its star power, the 1933 Brough Superior 1096cc 11-50hp and Cruiser Sidecar sold for £71,300 ($130,675) in the Bonhams annual Spring Stafford Sale at the International Classic MotorCycle Show in Stafford over the weekend.
Record auction
Bud’s Triumph Trophy
Yet it was not the biggest seller at the record auction where three motorcycles set new world record auction prices.
The 1962 Triumph 649cc TR6SS ridden by Ekins sold to an American bidder for a world record auction price of £97,750 (almost $A180,000) – over three times its top estimate.
A rare 1925 Coventry Eagle 981cc Flying-8 set a new auction record for the marque with £218,500 (about $A400,000).
A third world record was set for a 1935 Vincent-HRD 498cc Series-A Comet which sold for £97,750 (almost $A180,000).
Dad’s Army
The Brough outfit was used in 1972 in season five, episode 12 of Dad’s Army titled “Round and Round went the Great Big Wheel”.
Other bikes used in the series from 1970-77 include a Matchless G3L in the same episode as above and a BSA M21 in season seven.
George & Mildred
When the 1933 Brough Superior outfit was finished fighting off Mr Hitler’s invading forces, the bike was then featured heavily in George & Mildred (1976-79).
Its biggest starring role was in the opening credits.
Before the Brough wound up on the “idiot box”, it started life as a works entry for the formidable ISDT (International Six Days Trial) in 1934, winning a coveted gold medal.
It is one of only 308 built and has been owned by a family for more than 50 years.
Bud Ekins Trophy
Ekins rode the Triumph 649cc TR6SS Trophy to a gold medal in the 1962 International Six Day Trials (ISDT) in Europe.
The Trophy was sold along with the actual trophy he won for his individual class win.
Bud’s trophy
The off-road racer, bike restorer and stunt rider was a close friend and riding partner of actor Steve McQueen as well as a good friend of actors Clint Eastwood and Paul Newman.
Bud and Steve
He famously doubled for Steve in the jump stunt in The Great Escape on a Triumph TR6 instead of a German BMW.
The movie was being shot in Germany in 1962 and Bud thought it would be a good idea to combine his film work with participation in that year’s ISDT, held at Garmisch Partenkirchen.
Triumph agreed to supply a suitable factory-prepared machine, which was flown to Germany and registered there.
After the event, in which Bud not only gained a Gold Medal but also won the Unlimited Capacity Class, the Triumph was flown back to his home in California where it was registered as ‘CAL 142080’.
Trophy history
Triumph adopted the Trophy model name on their off-road 500cc TR5 and 650cc TR6 twins following success in the ISDT in the late 1940s.
For 1962, the final year of the traditional ‘pre-unit’ Triumph twins, the Trophy was designated ‘TR6SS’ which is one of the rarest of all post-WW2 Triumphs, being produced for the ’62 season only.
It was powered bya 34-46hp an air-cooled OHV parallel twin with a single Amal carburettor, a 4-speed transmission, twin rear shock absorbers and telescopic forks, weighing 166kg dry.
You stupid boy, get on your bike and check out this Brough Superior outfit used in the hit comedy TV shows Dad’s Army and George and Mildred.
The 1933 Brough Superior 1096cc 11-50hp and Cruiser Sidecar is heading to the Bonhams annual Spring Stafford Sale at the International Classic MotorCycle Show in Stafford on 27-28 April 2019.
The TV star outfit is expected to fetch up to £80,000 (about $A150,000).
Dad’s Army
It was used in 1972 in season five, episode 12 of Dad’s Army titled “Round and Round went the Great Big Wheel”.
Other bikes used in the series from 1970-77 include a Matchless G3L in the same episode as above and a BSA M21 in season seven.
George & Mildred
When the 1933 Brough Superior outfit was finished fighting off Mr Hitler’s invading forces, the bike was then featured heavily in George & Mildred (1976-79).
Its biggest starring role was in the opening credits.
We won’t tell you the punchline to the opening scene.
Suffice to say Mildred is once again less than impressed by George!
Before the Brough wound up on the “idiot box”, it started life as a works entry for the formidable ISDT (International Six Days Trial) in 1934, winning a coveted gold medal.
It is one of only 308 built and has been owned by a family for more than 50 years.
Superior Brough
However, it will not expected to be the superior bike at the auction.
That honour is expected to go to a 1926 Brough Superior 986cc SS100 Alpine Grand Sports estimated to fetch up to £180,000 ($A338,000).
It includes several modifications to improve reliability and practicality, including an anti-theft switch and an electrical generator concealed behind the gearbox.
Every Brough Superior was essentially a bespoke motorcycle, built to the customer’s individual requirements and famously earning the British company the nickname ‘The Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles’.
A succession of famous customers rode Broughs, including T. E. Lawrence – better known as Lawrence of Arabia.
