Bonhams’ Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais auction was held in Paris at The Grand Palais last week, and put a stunning collection of classic bikes up for auction. Here are some of our favourites.
1970 Guazzoni 50cc Production Racing Motorcycle
A late example of the Guazzoni marque, this wonderful unrestored light weight racer in is pushed around by Guazzoni’s trademark rotary-valve two-stroke engine with reversed cylinders and has racing history in Italy.
Ex-Fred Merkel, World Superbike Championship 1989/90 Honda VFR750R RC30 Production Racing Motorcycle
Raced by two-time World Superbike Champion Fred Merkel during his brief but immensely successful World Superbike racing career, this bike comes with huge providence.
Ex-Eugenio Lazzarini 1983 Garelli 50cc Grand Prix Racing Motorcycle
Two-time 50cc and once 125cc World Champion Eugenio Lazzarini’s ride for 1983, this bike scored three wins and came close to the championship, finishing runner up to Stefan Dörflinger.
Ex-Bert Fruin, Isle of Man TT 1962 Fruin Dartela 50cc Six-Speed Racing Motorcycle
This unique little machine was built in Middlesex by independent engineer H L ‘Bert’ Fruin. To get around the limitations of a three-speed box at the Isle of Mann, Fruin designed a longer frame and fitted a specially-modified Albion two-speed ‘overdrive’ gearbox to this bike. He took it to the inaugural 50cc ‘Ultra Lightweight’ TT in 1962, but dropped out on the first lap with engine troubles.
Ex-Jean-Francois Baldé 1989 Yamaha TZ250W Grand Prix Racing Motorcycle
This bike was Jean-François Baldé’s ride in the final season of a Grand Prix racing career that had stretched for 16 years and over 200 starts. It still proudly displays the multilingual farewell messages he carried with him that year; great history and a lovely bike.
Images via Bonhams
Top 5: Awesome bikes from Bonhams’ Paris sale is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.