REPORT - Binalong Motor Museum auction

Photos: Courtesy of Donington Auctions

The closure of a unique automotive museum presented a rare opportunity to purchase a range of collectable cars and bikes this past July.

The Binalong Motor Museum, located in the rural NSW town of the same name, was unique insofar as it was purpose built as a museum to display the collections of its two founders, John Fitzpatrick and Stuart Saunders. The space also served as a workshop for the founders’ restoration projects.

When Fitzpatrick relocated, Saunders bought out his share and the museum became his personal showcase, but when Saunders decided to close the museum earlier this year, he also decided to sell the bulk of his collection, selecting Donington Auctions to handle the clearance.

COVID-19 forced the original May date to be pushed back to 26 July, by which time some new lots had been added.

Bikes for All Tastes

While motorcycles made up only a small proportion of the 300+ lots on offer, they were a diverse bunch, with some examples dating back to Saunders’s early years in the UK.

A rare Norton Rotary F1 was withdrawn before the sale, but its loss was made up by a 1983 Ducati 900 Mike Hailwood Replica (MHR).

One of the most collectable Ducatis from the ’80s, the Series 2 MHR in Saunders’s collection showed just 33,000km, was backed by a maintenance log and appeared to need nothing more than detailing. Against a $25,000 low estimate, the MHR fell just short, making $24,000.

BSA Firebird Scramblers are rare in Australia, so the example at auction attracted attention. What made it additionally appealing was its unrestored condition. The bike had been treated to some modifications, though, including smaller 30mm Amal carbs and higher gearing, while mechanical upgrades included electronic ignition and a new wiring harness. From the Firebird’s debut year of 1968, this example of a rare bike sold on estimate for $11,000.

The 1970 Honda CB350 on offer was used regularly by Saunders during his early years in the medical profession in the UK. When Saunders emigrated to Australia, the bike was never meant to come with him, but was erroneously packed with vehicles and other possessions, which was a happy accident that Saunders took advantage of, using the bike regularly while he was working in Sydney.

With decades of use behind it, the CB 350 was in somewhat rough condition, so it was a surprise when it sold for $7,500 against a $7,000 high estimate.

The 1966 Vespa 125 Nuova on offer was in much better condition. This one Australian owner example had been repainted in orange from its original silver sometime in the 1970s, but that was rectified as part of a comprehensive restoration undertaken last year. Against a $7,000-$9,000 guiding range, the Vespa sold for $8,000.

Harley Heaven

While not part of Saunders’s collection, a 1934 Harley-Davidson Model R was included in the sale and generated a lot of interest.

The Model R was introduced in 1932 and the unit on offer was one of 1,735 built in 1934. Sold new in Perth, the Model R had been with the one family since 1935. A restoration was commenced by the family in the early 2010s and completed by Antique Motorcycles in 2016.

Remarkably, very few items were actually replaced during the restoration. That fact, combined with the quality of the restoration and its long family history, saw the Model R’s pre-auction estimate of $30,000-38,000 smashed when it sold for $47,000.

Collectables Galore

Amongst the motorcycle-related collectables at the Binalong Motor Museum Auction, there was everything from technical manuals for classic British bikes to Triumph and Norton scale models, speedway programmes, books, sales brochures and framed prints.

Some of the more interesting lots amongst this group included a silver-plated trophy from the 1937 Australian TT races that sold for $320, while a similar trophy, for the Harley Club of Victoria’s “Mudlark Trial” in 1939, sold for $440.

A pair of posters from the Phillip Island Classic, signed by Giacomo Agostini, made $460 against a $250 high estimate, but perhaps the biggest surprise was a hand-painted Norton dealership sign, 45cm x 60cm, that sold for $700 against a $400 high estimate.

High-Dollar Harley

While the 1934 Harley Model R was the top-selling motorcycle, an earlier example ran it close for the honour.

Following the release of Harley's first Model J in 1914, the JE, introduced in 1924, was defined by its race-spec motor with alloy pistons. Combined with a three-speed transmission, the performance from this package made the Model JE a favourite with police forces and the US Postal Service, as well as civilian riders.

The early history of this example is unknown, but it has bounced around collections in several states since coming to Australia. While fully restored at some point in the past, recent refurbishment work has been undertaken by owners in both Queensland and Victoria before the sidecar outfit became a feature attraction at the Binalong Motor Museum.

Described as ready for use with some minor reconditioning, the Model JE outfit sold for $45,000 against a $32,000 high estimate.

Stellar Result

Total sales from the Binalong Motor Museum Auction reached almost $2 million, with a 98.5 per cent clearance rate, which was exceptional given the COVID-influenced circumstances.

“We are thrilled with the results - particularly under the current circumstances and considering we had to postpone the auction in May - which indicates collectors in this field are still active and eager to participate in auctions - live or online. Our clients embraced the online format and the response to the catalogue was overwhelming - attracting over 145,000 views and 900 registered bidders," said Robbie Richards of Donington Auctions.

For full results from this auction, go to: https://www.doningtonauctions.com.au/

NOTE: All prices listed exclude buyer’s premium.