Bikes, collectables sell at SA Collectors’ Auction

The ‘August Collectors’ Auction’ on 31 August was loaded with hundreds of petroliana, garagenalia and other automotive-related collectable items, as well as more than two dozen classic British, European and Japanese motorcycles.
Bike consignments included an Ariel KH500 Fieldmaster, ’64 Triumph Mountain Cub, ’23 Triumph LW Junior (the oldest bike on offer), C1981 Suzuki GS 850G, ’59 BSA Lightning 650,’57 James Captain and a ’75 Yamaha XS650.
While some were projects, most of the lots offered were in complete, restorable condition. There were a few restored bikes, too. These included the aforementioned Fieldmaster (a ’54 model with the alloy head and duplex swingarm frame) and a C1950s/60s Jawa 250 559 that was featured in promotion for the auction. While the Fieldmaster was passed in, the Jawa sold for $1,900.
Also amongst those older restorations was a 1951 BMW R51/3. Minor cosmetic issues aside (like mirrors from a much later model), the BMW presented well and went for $14,200 to be the top selling bike at the auction.




The only other bike to crack five figures was a ’49 Moto Guzzi Airone 250 (prepared for racing at SA’s famous Sellick’s Beach races) that made $10,000.
Surprise packets included a C1964 Lambretta X-150 that sold for $5,300, well above its $3,500 high estimate. Other bikes to exceed their estimates included a C1970 Suzuki T500 ($3,300 on a $2K high estimate), ‘73 Honda CR 250M Elsinore ($5,700 on a $4.5K high estimate), and a ’65 Ducati Mach 1 ($9,000 on an $8K high estimate).
Rarities included Rudge and Motobecane autocycles (which sold for $2,500 and $1,200, respectively), a project-spec James Plover ($440) and an Australian-made Hawke sidecar ($800).
Several vintage motorcycle jackets were on offer, too, as well as BSA and Villiers parts.
Amongst the non-motorcycling collectables, a Shell ‘stick man’ three-panel tin sign sold for $17,700, with a similar Super Shell enamelled sign selling for $16,700.
Total clearance rate from the auction was 90 per cent.
For further details, go to https://www.scammellauctions.com.au/


