Manx Norton "Tank of Champions" sells for $5,000 at Shannons MotorEx auction

The vendor started collecting the signatures in 1998, the first being the late, great Barry Sheene. From there, signatures of Giacomo Agostini, Wayne Gardner, Kevin Schwantz, Phil Read, Valentino Rossi, Jim Redman, Max Biaggi, Kel Carruthers, Tory Corser, Troy Bayliss, James Toseland and Barry Smith were added for a total of 13 different champions in Grand Prix, World Superbike and Formula TT motorcycling competition.

The lot was offered at no reserve, with photographic evidence of several of the champions signing the tank to back up the provenance. The vendor donated half of the $5,000 sale to Sydney's St. Vincent's Hospital. The very special Norton tank is sure to take pride of place in the new owner's bar or poolroom!