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Crispy
classics set Bonhams auction alight
December
2025 – Guy 'Guido' Allen
The top lot at a recent
UK Bonhams 'fire sale' – a 1974 Ducati
750 SS green frame with race history, has sold
for an incredible Au$185,000 (US$123,000, GB£92,000,
€105,000).
That compares to the top
pre-sale estimate of Au$40,000 (US$27,000, GB£20,000, €23,000).
The UK auction concluded
December 15 and included a trio of very desirable
classic V-twins, which were at best badly heat- and
smoke-damaged. They survived a building fire thanks to
being locked in a container.
The other two bikes
were:
A 1954
Vincent Series C Black Shadow which went for Au$139,000 (US$92,000, GB£69,000, €79,000);
And a 1972
Ducati 750 Sport that fetched the same as the
Vincent at Au$139,000
(US$92,000, GB£69,000, €79,000).
There is a long history of premium
project motorcycles getting silly money at
auction. However the economic reality is a good
one that's already up and running will cost less –
but where is the fun and story in just buying one
that's done?
Maybe being able to think and talk about
how you 'rescued' it is much of the attraction.
At risk of providing some perspective, a very
tidy and restored 1990 Honda RC30 fetched
Au$69,700 (US$46,000, GB£34,500, €39,000).
Also, as we recently pointed out, Bonhams sold a nice Ducati 'green frame', with no race history, a year ago for Au$280,600 (US$188,000, GB£140,300, €160,000).
More
auction results – sorted by price.
See the
Vincent Series C Rapide in our shed
Falloon
on the Imola Ducatis which inspired the first
750 SS road bike
And
his profile on the 750 Sport
See our
mini-profile in the Honda RC30
***
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