Crisis or not, classic motorcycles continue to do well at auctions. Last weekend the prestigious auction at the International Classic Motorcycle Show yielded a total of around 1.4 million pounds.
As befits an auction in Great Britain, many classic British motorcycles went under the hammer. But the offer went much further than the old one Triumphs and Nortons.
For example, two AGV helmets that had belonged to road racing legend Barry Sheene left for £ 10.000. Another oddity was the Indian F from 1914 that belonged to Hollywood actor Steve McQueen. The Indian was eventually sold by telephone for £ 32.200
The hits were, of course, a number of British classics. One of the most interesting pieces was a Brough Superior SS80 from 1931. The history of this motorcycle becomes even more interesting because this very own motorcycle in 1972 was the first prize in a lottery from the Brough Superior Club. The lottery ticket at that time cost 5 pennies, but now the SS80 raised no less than £ 57.500.
The highest bid, however, went to a Vincent Black Shadow from 1952. This motorcycle also had a special past because the Vincent factory team set a new world record with it. That happened in May 1952 when the Black Shadow 24 was driven over the month track of Monthléry for hours. The Vincent would eventually yield £ 113.500.