Home Motors Buying Motors Classic motorbikes that are worth up to 1,300 TIMES original price

Classic motorbikes that are worth up to 1,300 TIMES original price

March 16, 2022

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THE UK’s most valuable classic motorcycles have been revealed – and some are worth more than 1,000 times their original value.

Dating back over 90 years, the selection of bikes are proof that some things really do get better with age, with some of the motors selling in recent years for over 3,000 per cent of their initial retail price.

Some of the world's most valuable classic motorcycles come from British manufactures Vincent Motorcycles and Brough Superior — Some of the world’s most valuable classic motorcycles come from British manufactures Vincent Motorcycles and Brough Superior

Compiled by GoCompare, along with experts from the Bonhams Auction House, the list features a host of rare bikes from almost 100 years of British motorcycle history – and some don’t even run anymore.

But anyone lucky enough to have one of these rare models sitting in their garage could discover it’s worth a small fortune thanks to their incredible rate of appreciation.

Read on to see 10 of the world’s most valuable classic motorbikes.

1951 Vincent Black Lightning – £657,652

Not only in the Black Lightning the most expensive, it has also increased the most in value, appreciating by a whopping 4,475 per cent from its original £501 retail priceCredit: GoCompare

1932 Brough Superior 800cc Model BS4 Project – £331,900

Originally selling for £188 in 1932, the Model BS4 has increased in value by 2,666 per cent - but it will need plenty of work before it's back on the road — Originally selling for £188 in 1932, the Model BS4 has increased in value by 2,666 per cent – but it will need plenty of work before it’s back on the roadCredit: GoCompare

1929 Brough Superior 968cc SS100 – £315,000

Once called the "Rolls-Royce of motorcycles", the SS100's £180 sale price has appreciated by 3,000 per cent — Once called the “Rolls-Royce of motorcycles”, the SS100’s £180 sale price has appreciated by 3,000 per centCredit: GoCompare

1951 Vincent White Shadow – £305,210

A one-of-a-kind speedster, this bike sold in 2016 for 813 times its original retail priceCredit: GoCompare

1939 Vincent-HRD 998cc Series-A Rapide – £275,900

Just a handful of the Series-A Rapide's were sold in 1939, when it sold for £432 — Just a handful of the Series-A Rapide’s were sold in 1939, when it sold for £432Credit: GoCompare

1939 Vincent-HRD 998cc Rapide Series-A Project – £270,300

Even the a version of the 998cc motor not fit for driving can fetch more than 900 per cent of its original retail sale priceCredit: GoCompare

1927 Brough Superior 981cc SS100 Alpine Grand Sport Project – £259,100

This unique sports model is a big hit among collectors, appreciating by 2,500 per cent since 1927Credit: GoCompare

1939 Brough Superior 990cc SS100 – £253,500

Originally attached to a sidecar, the 1939 SS100 took part in the London-Edinburgh endurance run and was used on the road until 1967Credit: GoCompare

1934 Brough Superior 996cc SS100 – £242,300

Undergoing a full restoration in 2004, the 1934 version of the motor sold for 1,300 times its original valueCredit: GoCompare

1926 Brough Superior 981cc SS100 Alpine Grand Sport Project – £236,700

Despite being in pieces, this bike proves the high regard collectors hold for Brough Superior models selling for juts under a quarter million in 2015 - at an appreciation of 2,422 per cent. — Despite being in pieces, this bike proves the high regard collectors hold for Brough Superior models selling for juts under a quarter million in 2015 – at an appreciation of 2,422 per cent.Credit: GoCompare

Ben Walker, international director for Bonhams collectors’ motorcycle department, said: “When choosing which motorcycles to feature we’ve tried to select machines from across the collecting spectrum – from the early Pioneer period with the 1908 Triumph 3½hp Combination through the post-classic 1990 Honda VFR750R Type RC30.

“These are machines that will appeal to all areas of enthusiasm – not just because of their value but also because of the nostalgia that they evoke.

“It’s fascinating to see how the values have increased since the machines were new.

“Knowing what we know now – the percentage increase in value and how difficult it is to acquire these machines – it would be great to step back in time and buy them when new.”

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