Rare Aussie motorcycle auctioned in New Zealand
Bearing some similarities to the Douglas inline flat-twins, the Quirk's Mona was notable for the time in being an entirely Australian-made motorcycle, and reportedly finished to a standard that made it one of the premier two wheel offerings available in the World War I period.
Monas were produced in NSW, presumably in or around the Sydney area. JUST BIKES' research uncovered listings of Quirk's Monas for sale, with prices confirming their reputation as a premium product. As an example, one Quirk's Mona advertised in 1919 was listed for the same price as a rare (and exotic for Australia) Flying Merkel v-twin.
Most Monas appear to have been fitted with a 4 h.p. 600cc flat twin, like the example auctioned, with 3-speed transmission and other modern features for the period. Judging by the example auctioned, frames appear to have been particularly sturdy, with other features of note including widely-spaced handlebars and deeply-valanced front and rear mudguards. It's unknown if the style of girder-fork front end on this example was common to all Quirk's Mona bikes.
Ed's Note:
Robert Saward's 'A-Z of Australian Made Motorcycles 1893-1942' provides more detail on the Mona, revealing they were manufactured in Alexandria, NSW, from 1915 and featured a 4 1/4hp flat twin engine, with a clutchless 2-speed countershaft transmission as standard. An optional 3-speed transmission (with clutch and kickstart) was available.
Quirk's made all the engine, frame and cycle parts in-house, with the front fork, a copy of the English 'Druid' girder fork, made in Melbourne by Peerless. This justified Quirk's claim that their creation was 100-percent Australian when many other local competitors were still using bought in engines, suspension and other components.
Saward's book speculates that the 'Mona' name comes from 'Mona's Isle', an alternative name for the Isle of Man. Shortages of raw materials during World War One forced Quirk's to cease Mona production during 1916, after around 100 machines were thought to have been built. Production did not recommence after the war.
Webb's research indicates that only around 90 of these bikes were made before Quirk's went out of the motorcycle business. Of that number, the lot offered at Webb's March auction in Auckland was advertised as the last one in existence, or more specifically, last one-and-a-half, as the lot on offer included an additional frame, engine, rims, fuel tank and other parts.
The motorcycle and associated parts was previously part of the Paddy Ryan collection (of Ryan's Motorcycles in Parramatta fame) until purchased by the vendor in 1970. The bike was presented as partially disassembled, and appears to have been largely untouched during its time in the vendor's possession.
This largely forgotten piece of Australian motorcycling history made NZ$14,950 and will hopefully be restored by the new owner to its original appearance. Top seller amongst the motorcycle lots from this auction was a 1915 Excelsior Big X sidecar outfit, which sold for NZ$70,150. Early BSAs, a 'Horsman' Triumph, Sunbeam S7 outfit, Hyde Harrier and a works Bultaco road racer were amongst the other motorcycle lots from this auction.
With a high clearance rate of 94 percent, Webb's 'Classic Motorcycles and Parts of the Day' March auction was judged a huge success. Entries are now invited for Webb's next specialty car and motorcycle auction, which is scheduled for October.
For further details and full results from this auction, ph: 0011 64 9 524 6804, or go to www.webbs.co.nz
Prices listed include buyer's premium.
All images: Webb's
