Matchless tops Shannons Winter Auction
There was variety aplenty amongst the motorcycle consignments for Shannons Timed Online Winter Auction, from a C1913 veteran, to ’80s dirt bikes and a Monkey bike from the new millennium.
In addition to various eras, the 16 motorcycle consignments in this auction covered different marques, too, from Japan, Great Britain, Germany, Italy and even Russia.
The auction, which ran from 8 to 15 June, saw a rare Matchless Model X v-twin emerge as the top selling motorcycle.
While not a name normally associated with v-twin motorcycles, Matchless did build them and for a surprisingly long time, first appearing in 1905 and continuing virtually uninterrupted until 1940.
The vast majority of Matchless v-twins were intended for haul sidecars, so they lacked the glamour of v-twin solos from the likes of Brough Superior and Vincent.
In 1929, Matchless rebranded their 982cc v-twin as the ‘Model X’ and added a Sports Tourist variant for solo use in 1937.
The example in the Shannons auction was a 1938 Model X, formerly part of the Keith Williams collection of important motorcycles. Coming to auction fresh from long-term storage, the Model X was thought to be complete, but needing some re-commissioning.
Described as one of an estimated 65 surviving examples of this model from the 1937-1939 period - and one of only 21 built in 1938 - the Model X on offer was offered with no reserve and given a pre-auction estimate of $30,000 - $40,000.
However, keen interest – 50 bids in total - saw this motorcycle ultimately sell for $70,000; almost double its high estimate.
A 1961 Lambretta Li 125 scooter also came close to doubling its pre-auction high estimate when it sold for $17,500, while a 1959 BMW R50 motorcycle, with matching Steib sidecar, performed well, selling for $52,500.
A pair of restored classic Kawasakis, in the form of a 1973 H2A 750 2-stroke triple and 1976 Z900 A4, sold for $32,500 and $35,200, while two 1951 Triumphs – a Tiger 100 and Thunderbird – went for $18,000 and $25,749, respectively.
Of note amongst the other consignments was a rare Aussie-made veteran C1913 ‘Monarch’ which was from one of two different Victorian-based manufacturers to bear the name. Powered by a JAP 500cc single, with belt drive, a Druid fork front end and rigid rear, the unit consigned had been restored in the mid-1990s. Despite being touted as the only surviving example, the Monarch sold under its estimate for $17,500.
For more details from this auction, go to: shannons.com.au