H&H creates new world record for Manx Norton

The unquestionable star of H&H’s motorcycle and bicycle sale at the National Motorcycle Museum last Saturday (June 24) was the 350cc 1961 Manx Norton 30M, once the property of former World Champion on two wheels and four, John Surtees.

The splendidly presented, matching numbers classic attracted strong bidding in the room and on the phone, eventually selling to a UK dealer for almost £24,750. This was double its estimate and a new world record for a 350cc Manx.

Competition machines are not the easiest to sell, but the ex-Carl Fogarty 1990 Honda RC30 was bang on the money at £27,500. Of proven provenance, the machine won both the 1990 Isle of Man Formula 1 race and the Senior TT in Fogarty’s hands.

The beautifully presented 1956 BSA DB32 Goldstar, restored back in 1992 but still in splendid order, made £7,150, while the rotary-engined Norton Classic fetched £4,895. The nicely turned out Norton Commando realised in excess of £3,400 and the beautifully restored 1957 Maico Maicoletta found a new home for £1,980.

Minus bike, but rare and desirable was the 1939/40 Indian sidecar. Fully restored and offered with all its original fittings, it was knocked down for £1,375. A fine present for somebody’s son (especially following a little TLC) was the 1970s child’s minibike with racing sidecar, which made over double its estimate at nearly £465.

90% of motobilia sold

The earlier motobilia sale acquired real pace, with new homes being found for 90% of the lots – most of which sold on estimate or above.

There was especially strong demand for the literature on offer and, for example, a quantity of assorted motorcycle sales brochures fetched almost £250, while an extensive collection of World Championship Final speedway programmes made nearer £530. Three lots of bound motorcycle magazines together totalled some £4,220.

The star of the 20 bicycle lots was a replica of an 1800s Ordinary Bicycle, or penny farthing as they were more commonly known. Built in c.1987 at a cost of some $2000 it sold for £660.

The next H&H dedicated motorcycle and bicycle sale will be held in November – venue and date to be announced. The next car sale will be at The Pavilion Gardens, Buxton on July 25/26.

Further information on this and all other H&H sales can be found at classic-auctions.com