JUNE Update

Stafford Show

It seems a long time ago that I ventured up to Stafford on 24 April and witnessed the world record breaking sale of the 1932 800cc Brough Superior BS4 which is one of only 10 examples manufactured. 

At first sight it is a curious machine, and one that appears to be more at home in the custom sheds of today rather than a serious design intended to bridge the gap between motorcycles and cars in the early 1930’s. 

The machine is powered by an Austin Seven car engine and therefore appeals not only to the high end Brough collector, but also those historic Austin collectors. One thing is sure the £331,900 sale price will need to be matched by a hefty restoration bill before it comes anywhere near the excellent example housed in the National Motorcycle Museum.

The BS4 with the other Broughs discovered in a Barn near Bodmin

This, the first of the lots billed as the Broughs of Bodmin was first up at the Stafford auction, and we have the bidding in full in the film below. Excuse the camera shake, but the atmosphere was electric. Hear the gasps in the room as a fresh bidder, and eventual buyer, came in at £270,000 meaning that the bidder who came all the way form Australia was squeezed out. 

The other bikes in the collection; which at any other time would have been hugely significant in themselves all sold for prices well over their original estimate. Whilst it seems that every Auction House currently needs a Brough on its front page, the word on the street is this just can’t go on. Bonhams Motorcycle lead Ben Walker agrees. He said “I don’t think another cache of bikes like this will turn up again. The collection had been squirreled away......for between 40 and 50 years” 

I was on business, so missed the other lots as we were transporting the 1929 490cc Ex Pat Driscoll Model 18 Norton Norton, bought earlier in the day back to its Brooklands home. 

1929 Ex Pat Driscoll Norton 490cc Model 18

It was a huge privilege to drive it back through the Brooklands Gates and even more of an honour to be only the second person to ride the bike on this hallowed ground since it left in period.

The Norton back at Brooklands

Brooklands Sunbeam

The Brooklands Museum Sunbeam Tourer, like most other museum bikes is fully running and gets used for demonstrations on a regular basis during School holidays. It does not tend to get used during events, as these are normally tailored towards the competition bikes. This together with the fact that the demonstration area will be out of commission during building works led the Volunteers to consider more outreach events. The Sunbeam is therefore being prepared to take part in more events during 2016. 

Earlier in the year the tyres were renewed, and the front brakes relined. During the past month we have also been servicing the clutch and gear-change linkage. New woodruff keys have been fabricated, the clutch plates cleaned and a couple of damaged corks are being replaced. It should be ready for a test run in a couple of weeks.

Kempton Park Motorcycle Show

21 May was the date for the legendary Southern Classic Motorcycle Show and Jumble held at Kempton Park. Organiser, Eric Patterson was, as ever pulling the strings to ensure all was in place by the time the gates opened. On Friday evening Eric’s shed was well represented with at least three of his own bikes already in place including his new Brough Superior newly delivered by Brough Boss Mark Upham who was on hand on Saturday as the new bike got its inaugural engine run.


Meanwhile back on the Jumble Stall the rain held off until it was time to pack up. We look forward to the next Jumble which is being held on 25 July 2016. In the meantime if you have a Pre-war bike to sell or find that old parts are getting in the way of your latest project then contact us at info@fenlandclassics and we will give you a price.

Future Events

We are currently gearing up to provide support at the Banbury Run and will be riding at Chateau Impney Hill Climb on 9/10 July 2016.

George Cohen

As I finish writing this I hear the sad news that George Cohen has just past away after a short but brave fight against cancer. It is a  particularly poignant moment as I remember the pack for The Pat Driscoll Norton above, to which George had included a copy of his book and a special message to the new owner. A Bonham’s consultant, he was a passionate Norton Man to the end. Paul d'Olreans fellow writer and friend of George, has penned his memories of George on his “The Vintigent” site. 

George at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2014

JANUARY 2016 Update

As the clock ticks over into 2016, I am reminded that a century ago millions of people where still being affected on a daily basis by World War One. After this time it is difficult to imagine what it must have been like to live through those times. I was able to get some insight recently whilst carrying out some further research on the 1915 motorcycle events at Brooklands.

The Motorcycle Magazine was understandably excited to be reporting once again on racing at Brooklands and detailed reports were spread across several pages together with pictures of the events. However, it was a different story on the pages of the Surrey newspapers; not a trace of the excitement, but instead columns of war related stories which told of the many local men that had been killed in action. It is therefore unsurprising that the initial euphoria in the motorcycle press was followed by a more restrained hope that future events may take place in 1916. Following conscription in 1916 and the shortage of fuel it was perhaps inevitable that racing would not return to Brooklands until after the War was at an end.

Copy of a Programme for the "All Khaki" meeting 1915

Warbike Project & Great War Commemorations

Buy a Copy Here

Warbike: British Military Motorcycling 1899 -1919 continues to surprise us. It has exceeded our expected sales target for the first quarter briefly entering the top ten of the online publisher’s history category. The book will be reverting to its retail price at the end of January, so if you are interested in getting a copy click on the sales links for the launch price.

We were pleased to get a mention in the Classic Motorcycle Magazine’s write up of the Brooklands Great War Day 100. We are continuing to discuss the possibility of a similar event in 2016, but the Museum are keen to link their events to site related commemorations which from 1916 are connected with Aircraft. As ever you can keep up to date with Brooklands projects and events on the Brooklands Motorcycle Volunteers Facebook page.

Kempton Park Bike-Jumble

Kempton Dec 2015

We will be at Kempton Park on 23 January selling copies of Warbike and a small range of new and pre-used parts for your winter projects including rear lights, headlight glass, rear stand clips, handlebar grips, footrest rubbers and semi-liquid grease for 1930’s gearboxes.

Fenland Classic Gifts

We have some T Shirts and gift items available from on-line partners featuring old Lodge Spark plug adverts. Click on the images for more information.

Lodge T Shirt

Lodge Mug

Fenland ClassicsTV

Forget the rain and relive Wheels and Waves 2015 from the comfort of your favourite chair. Click the image to start.


Old Timer

JUNE 2014 Update

 

Warbike Project

So much information and not enough time. We are just about on target for publication and thanks to our friends at Brooklands Museum we have seen a lot of fantastic images relating to the racing circuit before and during WW1. We now have to sort out the images from the National Archives and pay a visit to the Imperial War Museum and even try to get to the RAF Museum, The Royal Engineers Museum and the Vintage Motor Cycle Club Archives!!!! Maybe we are not on schedule after all.

Kempton Park Classic Motorcycle Show

 

We were at the show supporting the Brooklands Motorcycle Volunteers with transportation of the BSA Empire Star and Douglas that were featured in the April Edition of Classic Bike Guide. There was lots of interest in the bikes....even more when the Heavens opened on the Auto Jumble.  It looks like there is a lot of support for the forthcoming events at Brooklands especially Ton up Day on 6 July. Also promoting this event was the London Ace Cafe who will be leading a ride out from the north circular venue to Brooklands on the Day.

Brooklands was well represented at the show which also included a VMCC Brooklands Section Stand and Historics @Brooklands Auctions who were promoting their Auction at Brooklands on 7 June.

Despite the jest above the Auto Jumble was mainly dry and we got time for a swift look round. There seem to be more and more bikes for sale on the stands, some of which looked like worthwhile projects, or maybe they were abandoned winter projects!

Trondhjemsridtet Vintage Rally

Gunnar Hop's Harley almost ready for the big Day

On 7 June riders will start the trondhjemsridtet Vintage Rally from Oslo to Trondhiem in Norway. This event commemorates the inaugural run of the Norsk Motorcycle Klub (Norwegian Motorcycle Club run in 1916. Check out our Twitter feed for Updates from 7 June @Fenlandclassics. The rally will begin at 1200 noon local time.

See video of the last Rally run in 2012

 http://youtu.be/yEskOHlwoTc

Goodwood Festival of Speed

 

 

The Goodwood Festival of Speed will take place later this month. Motorcycles will as usual feature in both static displays and runs up the Hill. The Brooklands BSA Empire Star will feature and is expected to run up the Hill during each session.