Record auction price for vintage motorbike

Media release – July 25, 2008

Mowbrays’ subsidiary notches NZ record auction price for vintage motorbike

A Mowbrays’ subsidiary has notched up a New Zealand record auction price for a vintage motorbike which till recently had been lying idle in an old barn.

A 1915 Ariel 670cc Vee Twin bike sold for a record $35,000 at Webb’s auction in Auckland last night.

The bike had impeccable provenance, had been in the same family for 60 years and been stashed away in an old barn. The name or identity of the successful bidder not disclosed.

Mowbray’s managing director John Mowbray said today the Webb’s auction was New Zealand’s first stand-alone auction of important and vintage motorbikes, many considered to be of museum quality. Another old motorbike-only sale is planned for next year, he said.

Other vintage bikes which got collectors racing included a 1936 Royal Enfield which achieved $23,375 against an estimate of $12,000 to $16,000, a 1939 OHV Ariel Square Four went for $44,412 and a 1926 Harley-Davidson 7/9 complete with royal tourist sidecar which sold for $43,243.

The total return from the bike auction was $400,000. A further auction of historic and artistic photographs and auction realised $100,000.

Mowbray said their recent Bonham and Goodman’s (20 percent Mowbray owned) auction saw a gold ring sell in Sydney for $A450,000.

``It’s been a great week for our sales and we’re looking forward to our annual meeting next month,’’ he said.

ENDS

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