A Dorset barn has yielded a collection of rusted old motorcycles and spare parts which totalled over £20,000 when they went under the Charterhouse hammer on Sunday 10th February.“On the Saturday viewing day we had well over 1,000 people through the auction venue. It was quite interesting to see the reaction from everyone when they looked at the barn stored bikes. Some thought it looked like a load of scrap, and others were totally infatuated with them and couldn’t believe their eyes!” Commented Matthew Whitney. “We even had one buyer who had seen the collection 30 years ago in the barn and had tried to buy them, only to be told that the owner was planning to restore them, which sadly did not happen.”
All the motorcycles had been in the same Dorset family ownership for about 90 years, and only came to light after a bereavement in the family. Very much in a fresh to the market state and all requiring extensive restoration, the top lot from the barn was £12,000 for a 1923 Matchless with a side car. Selling for over double its lower estimate it was underbid by an American client. In addition to the motorcycles, there were also some spare parts such as a JAP 1000cc engine, again dating to the early 1920’s, which sold for £900. Most of the motorcycles and spare parts were purchased by one collector.
Elsewhere in the auction, which attracted nearly 400 people on the auction day, a Morris Minor Traveller, which is also affectionately known as a Tudor House on Wheels due to its half timber construction, sold for a strong £7,400, a 1973 VW Camper van sold to an internet bidder at £7,800. Fords were well represented in the auction, with a 1975 Ford Mexico selling for £9,100 and a 1970 Ford Cortina 1600E at £7,000. On a more modern Ford front, a 1991 Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth Rouse 4WD caused a stir when it sold to a Devon museum at £9,500. 
Charterhouse is now accepting further entries for this auction of classic cars and motorcycles on Sunday 21st April being held at the Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset. They are also accepting further entries into their March collector’s auction which includes stamps, medals, coins, clocks, model trains, cars & antiques
To arrange a free home visit or for more information regarding this auction please contact Matthew Whitney, Associate Partner at Charterhouse, The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne 01935 812277 or via email on info@charterhouse-auctions.co.ukBarn find and one family owned since new – a 1923 Matchless J Type with rare sidecar sold for £12,000
A JAP 1000cc engine sold for £900
A Morris Minor Traveller sold for £7,400
A Ford Escort Mexico sold for £9,100Quick Links
For further information regarding this article, please contact Richard Bromell, Partner
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