A SOMERSET auction of classic and vintage motorcycles saw sales reach more than a staggering £350,000.

The Charterhouse specialist auction, at the Haynes International Motor Museum on June 30, was hailed as a huge success, with sales totalling £365,000.

“There was a great line up of motorcycles from the 1920’s through to modern superbikes,” said George Beale, of Charterhouse.

“They were also in all shapes, sizes and conditions!”

Chard & Ilminster News: SOLD: A Manx Norvin, for £43,000
SOLD: A Manx Norvin, for £43,000

Top lot was a recently built Manx Norvin, a hybrid bike with a Vincent engine and a Norton frame. Having been built for display, the owner had never ridden the bike.

Selling on the hammer for £43,000, one of the first things the new owner did was to take it for a short ride.

Chard & Ilminster News: SOLD: 1947 Vincent Rapide went for £29,750

Also in the auction, a 1947 Vincent HRD Rapide with a Watsonian sidecar, in the same ownership since 1965, sold for £29,750.

Chard & Ilminster News: UP FOR AUCTION: This rare 1975 Ducati 750 Sport, valued at £28,000-£32,000
SOLD: 1974 Ducati 750 Sport, for £28,000

Meanwhile a 1974 Ducati Sports, owned from when it was just two years old, sold for £28,000.

Chard & Ilminster News: SOLD: 1962 BSA Rocket Gold Star for £18,000
SOLD: 1962 BSA Rocket Gold Star for £18,000

And a 1962 BSA Rocket Gold Star made £18,000, selling to an Australian collector.

Elsewhere in the auction, with a selling rate of nearly 75%, one bike which attracted a good deal of attention was a 1954 BSA Winged Wheel.

Chard & Ilminster News: SOLD: 1954 BSA Winged Wheel, for £1,500
SOLD: 1954 BSA Winged Wheel, for £1,500

This charming bicycle with a BSA 34.6cc engine producing just 1hp, sold for £1,500.

Charterhouse is now accepting entries for their next specialist auction of classic and vintage motorcycles at The Haynes International Motor Museum on Thursday, October 14, and for their next specialist sale of classic and vintage cars, also at Haynes, on October 5.

George Beale, Richard Bromell and the team at Charterhouse can be contacted for valuations and to arrange a free home visit on 01935 812277.