Best of British bikes at Shannons Sydney Autumn Auction

SYDNEY –May 1, 2013: A superb private collection of British motorcycles from the 1950s and early 1960s is being offered with no reserve prices at Shannons Sydney Autumn classic Auction on Monday (May 6).

The seven Matchless and four AJS solo bikes are amongst 12 bikes and two Vespa scooters in the auction

All the British bikes were restored to show condition before being fired up, stored and never ridden as part of a large private collection.

A similarly-superb collection of nine classic Honda motorcycles from the collection of the same elderly enthusiast realised $68,000 at Shannons Sydney Summer Auction in February this year.

Special motorcycles in Monday’s auction include an exquisite circa 1954 Matchless G45 500cc Twin-cylinder Production Racing Motorcycle, based on the 1952 Senior Manx Grand Prix winner and a stunning circa 1952 AJS 18S 500cc solo equipped with Springer frame rear suspension and an alloy competition single cylinder engine.

Because of their rarity and show condition, the Matchless is expected to bring $44,000-$54,000 and the AJS $11,000-$14,000.

Other motorcycles from the collection include:

A circa 1960 Matchless G80 ‘Typhoon’ 600cc solo – a limited production model produced primarily for the American market – with a rare alloy competition engine ($16,000-$19,000)

A classic circa 1964 Matchless G80CS with a competition alloy 500cc single cylinder engine ($11,000-$14,000)

A superb circa 1958 AJS Model 20 500cc Twin-cylinder solo ($9,000-$12,000)

A striking circa 1963 Matchless G12 CSR (‘Competition Sprung Roadster’) 650cc Twin-cylinder dubbed the ‘Coffee Shop Racer’ by its rivals because of its distinctive two-into-one 'Siamese' exhaust system ($10,000-$13,000).

Other two-wheelers in Monday’s auction include a low kilometre (8,120km), one-owner 1983 Honda VF400F water-cooled 400cc V4 solo presented with its original sales docket, and a pair of classic Vespa scooters – a 1964 150cc model finish in red, blue and white French livery and a1966 VBC 150cc resplendent in white, red and green Italian national colours – each $3,000-$5,000.

All the motorcycles, cars and garagenalia in Monday’s auction can be inspected over this weekend at Shannons showroom, 65 Reserve Road, St.Leonards from 9am to 4pm Saturday and 10am to 4pm Sunday.