Bonhams hosted the auction of the Pamplona Collection at the RAF Musuem in London last weekend. The Spanish owned private collection of approximately 100 classic and vintage motorcycles, the majority built before 1950, included many rare models from names including Indian, Harley Davidson, NSU, BMW, Terrot, Peugeot, Wanderer, Griffon and many more.
Also included in the sale were several in-line four cylinder machines from Henderson, Ace and Cleveland. The feature bike of the auction was a 1931 Brough Superior SS100 with a reserve set at £120,000. Hosted light heartedly by auctioneer Malcolm Barber, a very high percentage of the bikes sold successfully, although the Brough failed to sell with bidding reaching £85,000.
The RAF Museum in Hendon provided a fascinating back-drop for the Bonhams Pamplona Collection, this Phantom F4 fighter sharing hanger space with 1913 Griffon 350cc V-twin pedal assisted machine. The French built Griffon sold for £6,500 plus commission.
Fantastic 1926 Harley Davidson 74ci-1200cc Model J OHV racer was my pick of all the lots. Engineered to perform, this machine boasted an overhead-valve conversion, straight through pipes and with a wonderful period patina, provided an exceptional ownership proposition. Good value at £26,000 plus fees.
BMW was well represented with a range of single and flat twin engined machines including Lot 40, a beautfully presented 1936 494cc R5 reaching double it's estimate at £13,500 plus commission.
Beautifully demonstrated by Pops is this 1937 Czechoslavakian Bohmerland 603cc Langtouren boasting a long, low frame and for the first time on a motorcycle, cast alloy wheels. This ultra rare leading link front forked machine fetched £31,500.
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