Motorcycle Investor mag
Subscribe to our free email news
Wallet-busters at Bonhams
(by Guy ‘Guido’ Allen, Oct 2021)
Suzuki RG500 sets record price
Last week's Bonhams autumn sale at the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics show proved that there is no shortage of interest in iconic eighties performance bikes, or more traditional classics. However a one-off Norton prototype went for a song.
Described as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, an unused and dry-stored 1989 Suzuki RG500 Gamma went for an incredible Au$64,300 (US$47,000, GB£34,500). We believe that to be a record for the model.
Meanwhile the performance of better-established classics was more predictable. For example a 1974 Ducati 750SS green frame sold for Au$214,500 (US$157,000, GB£115,000).
And a 1973 MV Agusta 750GT in remarkable condition went for Au$236,000 (US$172,700, GB£126,500). This and the Ducati came from the same collection.
Back on the list of exceptional results was a 1975 Norton Commando 850 MkIII Interstate, which went for Au$38,600 (US$28,200, GB£20,700), or nearly double what an average MkIII might expect. Why so much? The story is that it's thought to be the last Commando sold by Andover Norton, in 1982 – seven years after the paint had dried and it was assembled! Like the Suzuki, it has never been ridden.
A one-off Norton prototype or test bed, dating back to around 1974, attracted surprisingly little interest. It features what appears to be a Cosworth experimental engine with double overhead cams and four valves per cylinder, plus liquid cooling. It went for just Au$12,900 (US$9400, GB£6900).
-------------------------------------------------
Produced by AllMoto abn 61 400 694 722
Privacy: we do not collect cookies or any other data.
Archives
Contact