Formerly the property of Alan Cathcart, 2000 MV Augusta 750cc F45, estimate: £9,000 – 12,000
STAFFORD, UK – July 21, 2025 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – After the phenomenal success of Bonhams|Cars’ Spring Stafford Sale – which soared past expectations, achieving £3.2 million and an industry-leading 96% sell-through rate – the Motorcycle Team is now gearing up for their highly-anticipated Autumn Stafford Sale at the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show 11 to 12 October, Stafford, UK.
Ben Walker, Bonhams|Cars Motorcycle Department Director, commented: “Following on from the immense success of the Spring Stafford Sale, we are once again bringing an extraordinary selection of motorcycles for offer this Autumn. Several single owner collections are represented this year, including items from the collection of Richard Johns and the late Neil Redley, as well as motorcycles once belonging to former VSCC President Kenneth Neve and Alan Cathcart.”
A broad variety of machines across different genres will be on offer this year, including motorcycles previously owned by some of the most legendary figures on the circuit, including journalist Alan Cathcart’s 2000 MV Augusta 750cc F4S, that will be offered at an estimate of £9,000 – 12,000.
1937 Vincent-HRD 998cc Series-A Rapide. Estimate £180,000 – 240,000
The star lot at this year’s sale is the 1937 Vincent-HRD 998cc Series-A Rapide, estimated at £180,000 – 240,000. One of just 78 examples of the series A were produced before the outbreak of war curtailed production. The 13th Series ‘A’ Rapide built, DNK was tested by none other than George Brown, and retains its original frame, engine, gearbox, and registration number. Benefiting from a painstaking restoration, with a focus on accuracy, originality, and road-readiness. This is one of the most evocative and historically significant British motorcycles of the pre-war era – a true ‘holy grail’ machine that shaped the future of high-performance motorcycles, making it a crown jewel for any collector.
1929 Brough Superior 996cc SS100. Estimate: £160,000 – 200,000
Another highlight is the 1929 Brough Superior 996cc SS100, carrying an estimate of £160,000 – 200,000. The Bentley & Draper spring-framed SS100 was originally supplied new to a Mr Sexton of Southwest London in July 1929. Little is known of its early history until the 1960s, when it was acquired by the late Kenneth Neve OBE of Cheshire – an icon of British vintage motoring. Neve, a former President of the Vintage Sports-Car Club and one of the founding figures behind its Northern Section, had a long and celebrated association with significant machinery, including Vauxhall 30-98s, Bugattis, and Brough Superiors, the latter of which he campaigned at Brooklands. Neve sold this SS100 in 1975 to the late great racing driver, collector, and broadcaster Alain de Cadenet. Today, it remains in superb ‘garage find’ condition – a remarkable discovery, form the ownership of two giants of the historic motoring world.
Part of the late Neil Redley Collection
This sale will also present the Late Neil Redley Collection, a tribute to the post-war motorcycles of the iconic British manufacturer Velocette. Renowned for their pioneering engineering, racing pedigree, and exceptional craftsmanship, amongst the highlights of the collection is the Earls Court Motorcycle Show, 1956 Velocette 499cc Venom (estimate: £6,000 – 10,000), originally unveiled at the 1955 Earls Court Motorcycle Show.
Earls Court Motorcycle Show, 1956 Velocette 499cc Venom. Estimate: £6,000 – 10,000
This is the very first production model, showcased in its correct Dove Grey and Beige livery – a striking departure from the era’s convention, when motorcycles were famously offered in “any colour you wanted, as long as it was black.”
Neil’s remarkable collection also features other exotic examples such as the 1970 Indian-Velocette 499cc Thruxton (estimate: £8,000 – 12,000) and the c.1970 Indian-Velocette 499cc Venom (estimate: £6,500 – 8,500) both from a limited production run of just about 150 units. These Indian-Velocette motorcycles emerged from a post-war collaboration between Clymer’s revived Indian brand, Italian-made frames, and the British manufacturer Velocette. The partnership aimed to help Indian compete with Harley-Davidson and growing foreign competition by rebranding high-quality British machines for the American market.
The Richard Johns Collection
Richard Johns had a 45-year career in the engine industry, beginning in 1969 as a student with Perkins Engines. After earning a PhD from Imperial College London in 1980, he worked with AVL, Ricardo Consulting Engines, and CD-adapco (now part of Siemens), specialising in Computational Fluid Dynamics for internal combustion engines. Since retiring in 2015, Richard has been devoted to the restoration of his vintage Overhead Cam AJS and Velocette motorcycles. One of the extraordinary motorcycles from this collection on offer is the AJS 780cc V-Twin OHC World Speed Record Attempt Replica which carries the estimate of £40,000 – 60,000.
The original V twin at Arpajon – Copyright: Mortons Archive.
Additional highlights in the Richard Johns Collection:
- Front Left: AJS 780cc V-Twin OHC World Speed Record Attempt Replica. Estimate: £40,000 – 50,000.
- Front Right: 1933 AJS 474cc 33-7 Camshaft ‘Trophy’ Competition. Model. Estimate: £15,000 – 25,000.
- Back Left: 1929/31 AJS 495cc M/S10. Estimate: £12,000 – 15,000.
- Back Right: c.1927 AJcette 348cc. Estimate: £12,000 – 15,000.
1955 Vincent 998cc Series-D Black Prince. Estimate: £50,000 – 60,000
Another exciting highlight is the 1955 Vincent 998cc Series-D Black Prince, estimated at £50,000 – 60,000. Ever since the Series-A’s arrival in 1937, the Vincent-HRD v-twin had been synonymous with design innovation, engineering excellence, and superlative high performance, and in 1955 It had been Philip Vincent’s belief that provision of ample weather protection combined with enclosure of engine and gearbox would make the Vincent Series-D the ultimate ‘gentleman’s motorcycle’. One of only around 132 Black Prince models ever produced, this breathtaking 1955 example has undergone a professional restoration by renowned marque specialists, with over £25,000 invested in its revival.
Other highlights offered in the sale include:
- c.1909 ‘Chater Lea’-JAP 300cc. Estimate: £3,500 – 4,500.
- 1910 Bradbury 3½hp Motorcycle with Wicker Sidecar. Estimate: £7,000 – 10,000.
- 2025 VMCC Banbury Run, Feridax Trophy Winner, 1911 Douglas 2¾hp Model D. Estimate: £7,000 – 9,000.
Sale: The Autumn Stafford Sale
Location: Staffordshire, UK
Date: 11 – 12 October
ABOUT BONHAMS|CARS MOTORCYCLES
Bonhams|Cars Motorcycles is the auction house of choice for the sale of important collectors’ motorcycles and single-owner collections. Renowned for achieving world record prices across the board, the Motorcycles division at Bonhams|Cars consistently delivers the highest sell-through rates in the industry at an average of 94% sold by lot and value.
Live and online motorcycle auctions are presented by Bonhams|Cars, the dedicated platform characterised by levels of trust, reliability, and transparency born of over three decades of experience as the premier automotive auction house. As part of the Bonhams global network of auction houses, Bonhams Motorcycles benefits from an unrivaled global reach and a name that’s been synonymous with expertise and quality for hundreds of years.
Bonhams|Cars Motorcycles has set multiple world records, presently holding the record for most valuable British motorcycle sold at auction, as well as delivered white glove results for major single-owner collections. Significant past sales include:
- The Dr Peter and Ulrike Bühner Collection – €2,002,000 – 97% sold.
- The National Motorcycle Museum Reserve Collection – £905,000 – 77% sold.
- The Giancarlo Morbidelli Collection – £1,713,000 – 95% sold.
- The Brian R. Verrall Collection – £1,236,000 – 100% sold.
- The Robert White Collection – £3,404,000 – 99% sold.
- The Richard C. Paine Jr. Collection – $8,188,000 – 100% sold.
For more information, please visit Bonhams.com/Motorcycles.
About The Bonhams Network
Bonhams is a global network of auction houses, with the largest number of international salerooms, offering the widest range of collecting categories and selling at all price points. Bonhams is recognized for its bespoke service, and a dedication to local market relationships, enhanced by a global platform. With 14 salerooms, Bonhams presents over 1,000 sales annually, across more than 60 specialist categories, including fine art, collectables, luxury, wine & spirits, and collector cars.
Founded in 1793, Bonhams has representatives in more than 30 countries and operates flagship salerooms in London, New York, Paris, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong. In 2022, Bonhams added four international auction houses to its network: Bukowskis, Stockholm; Bruun Rasmussen, Copenhagen; Cornette de Saint Cyr, Paris and Brussels; and Skinner, Massachusetts. The success of Bonhams’ global strategy is a result of recognizing the shift in growing intercontinental buying and increased digital engagement. More information here.
For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com
Source: Bonhams|Cars Motorcycles
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