Italian machines, both ancient and modern, were well represented, the 1977 MV Agusta 750S America with 46 kilometres recorded from new selling for an above-estimate 34,500, while towards the other end of the performance/age scale, the restored 1940 Moto Guzzi 500cc Model V found a new home for 6,900. Offered for sale by ex-World Champion Phil Read, Phil's own uniquely-modified MV Agusta F4 superbike realised 11,040. Another MV Agusta, specially built with Phil in mind and ridden by him on several occasions, the c.1978 862cc Magni racer sold for 21,850. The 1961 Aermacchi Ala d'Oro 250cc racing motorcycle - one of the best of its type we have seen - fetched 6,900.
Honda's VFR750R RC30 superbike has been collectible since its introduction in the late 1980s, and a 1990 UK-market example continued the marque's strong showing, selling for 12,765, while another `future classic', the trend-setting 1985 Suzuki GSX-R750, sold for 3,680.
Motorcycle and sidecar combinations are a minority interest these days, yet there continues to be a strong demand for good examples. The star achievers at this sale were the veteran 1913 P&M 500cc Touring Outfit, a regular Pioneer Run participant, which sold for an above-estimate 16,100; the 1923 New Imperial Model 7 v-twin, a recent `Best in Show' concours winner, which realised 9,200, and the 1929 Scott Super Squirrel, which fetched 8,050. A three-wheeler of a very different kind, the gargantuan 1990 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Trike sold for 15,525.
Other highlights of the sale included:
· 1933 Norton 600cc International - sold for 13,800.
· 1927 Triumph 500cc TT Model - sold for 8,625.
· 1925 Beardmore Precision - sold for 6,095.
· 1902 Peugeot Perfecta - sold for 12,650.
· 1925 AJS Model D v-twin - sold for 13,800.
· 1960 BSA 500cc Gold Star - sold for 10,465.
· c.1937 Excelsior Manxman 250cc Racing Motorcycle - sold for 10,120.
· 1935 Norton 490cc International, ex-Denis Jenkinson - sold for 16,675.
· 1924 Sunbeam 350cc racing Motorcycle - sold for 10,580
Bonhams Group Managing Director, Malcolm Barber commented: "April at Stafford turned out to be another highly successful sale despite the dollar exchange rate keeping US bidders away. European bidders definitely plugged that gap. Bonhams' Stafford sale continues to go from strength to strength. Sunday entries were 60 up on last year, and with the huge variety of machines on offer it was no surprise that the saleroom was packed. I'm thrilled with the some of the prices that we achieved and confidently expect a repeat performance at our inaugural Legend of the Motorcycle sale at Half Moon Bay, California on Sunday 5th May."
For further information contact Rebecca Ruff on 020 7468 8210 or press@bonhams.com