Bonhams smashes world records at Stafford show

A 1965 MV Agusta 500cc Grand Prix race bike, ridden by legendary racers Mike Hailwood and Giacomo Agostini, sold for an incredible £967,000 at auction. Meanwhile, Barry Sheene‘s 1977 World Championship-winning Suzuki RG500 XR14 sold for £506,000.

The annual Stafford Classic Bike Show attracted more than 20,000 visitors at the end of April, making it the most successful event to date according to organisers Kelsey Media.

The show featured more than 1,000 classic motorcycles, 100 motorcycle clubs, over 600 trade stands, the popular GP Paddock and a major classic motorcycle auction.

Special guests included John McGuinness, a 23-time Isle of Man TT winner, and fellow TT star Dean Harrison. Both riders met fans, signed autographs and shared stories from their racing careers throughout the weekend.

Emma Bedford, Event Director at Kelsey Media, described the event as a huge success.

She said:

“It was fantastic to bring the classic motorcycling community together once again at Stafford.”

Bedford also highlighted the record-breaking auction, guest appearances, club displays, traders and live GP bike demonstrations as major attractions.

Alongside the show, the Bonhams Spring Stafford Sale delivered record-breaking results.

The auction achieved total sales of £4.208 million. Every lot sold on the first day, while 96% sold on the second day.

The star attraction was the ex-works 1965 MV Agusta 500cc GP machine. Auctioneers originally valued it between £160,000 and £220,000. It eventually sold for £967,000, setting a new world record for an Italian motorcycle at auction. It also became the second most expensive motorcycle ever sold at auction worldwide.

Barry Sheene’s 1977 Suzuki RG500 XR14 also made history. The bike sold for £506,000, setting a new auction record for a Japanese motorcycle.

Ben Walker, International Department Director at Bonhams, called the sale a landmark event for motorcycle enthusiasts.

He said:

“We established two new world records and came very close to the overall motorcycle auction record.”

Walker added that the auction would be remembered by the motorcycle community for many years to come.

Bonhams smashes world records at Stafford show

Bonhams smashes world records at Stafford show

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