STRONG RESULTS AT DONINGTON MOTORCYCLE AUCTION

Donington Auctions’ first motorcycle-specific auction for 2024 was a success, with an impressive clearance rate amongst the 262 lots and total sales in excess of $500,000. Along with 30+ motorcycles, the online simulcast auction held on 1-14 April included engines, frames and other parts, plus trophies, clothing, books, brochures and other motorcycling collectables.

“With 100 per cent of lots attracting bids and 98.1 per cent of those lots sold, the auction can be considered a great success,” said Cameron Sabine of Donington Auctions. “There were almost 350,000 online views of the auction, which demonstrates the continued interest in classic and collectable motorcycles.”

As previewed by JUST BIKES ahead of the auction, the star lots included immaculately restored Italian bikes and barn find British classics. Of the former, a 1974 Ducati 450 Sports was an Australian-delivered example and one of only 656 built that year in “European spec”. Subjected to a comprehensive, ten-year restoration by Gowanloch Ducati, most of the original parts were retained, while those that needed replacing were sourced from all over the world. The final price of $70,500 was below estimate, but the top price achieved across the entire auction.

A restored 1971 MV Agusta 125 GTL-S made $16,800 and a 1957 MV Agusta 125 Turismo Rapido Lusso went for $9,400, but of greater interest was a 1971 MV Agusta 350B Sport, not least for its rarity and original female ownership, but also for its reputed use by Giacomo Agostini. That bike hammered for $26,000

Unrestored Vincent classics from the Cameron MacMahon collection included a 1949 Series C Rapide that sold for $62,000 and a 1954 Series C Comet that made $23,750. A pair of Ariel Square Fours, a 1949/58 MkI/MkII hybrid and 1956 MkII, sold for $12,800 and $16,600, respectively.

Brit bikes outside of the MacMahon collection included a low-mile 1969 Triumph T150T that made $15,400, the ex-Jack Craig Manx Norton 350 racing outfit that went for the same amount and an original, unrestored 1975 Norton Commando MkIII found in the USA that sold for an impressive $31,000.