More than 30 of New Zealand’s best bikes at annual Webb’s Classic Motorbikes auction

21 September, 2015

Some of New Zealand’s finest motorbikes will be going up for auction this Sunday, September 27, as part of the annual Webb’s Classic Motorbikes auction in Parnell. The lead-up to the auction has seen Webb’s Parnell showroom transform into a makeshift motorcycle museum, with examples ranging through the eras — a 1950 Vincent Black Shadow, through to a 1959 Manx Norton, and a 1979 Ducati 900SS FIM make up the 33-strong selection.

 

One of the more unique bikes up for grabs is this 1974 Benelli SEI 750. It holds standing as the first ever motorbike to utilize a six-cylinder engine. The Italian-produced bikes were curiously designed by Alejandro de Tomaso — a man far more well known for his work in the automotive sector, having assisted in the production of a variety of cars, ranging from Formula 1 cars to the ubiquitous Daihatsu Charade de Tomaso of the early ’90s. The SEI wasn’t just a pioneer in regards to its power plant, though, as a pioneer in motorbike design. Its angular shape helped change the direction of future motorbike design from rivalling brands, who up to that point in time had employed a more rounded shape to their bodies.

 

Another of the many bikes worth noting is this handmade 1975 MV Agusta 750S. Expected to sell for between $90,000 and $100,000, the Agusta 750S had an incredibly successful stint in international competition. The Agusta name first came to relevance in 1948, when Franco Bertoni used one to claim honours in the Italian Grand Prix. Agusta bikes would go on to win the 125cc, 250cc, and 500cc international championships over the 1956, 1958, 1959, and 1960 seasons. MV Agusta accumulated 270 Grand Prix race wins in total, thanks in part to the services of some of the best riders on two wheels, including names like Mike Hailwood and John Surtees. This particular example has covered a mere 37,266km in its 40 years on terra firma, and it certainly looks good enough to do even more.

 

There are plenty more incredible machines on display at Webb’s for all to see. If you’re interested in snapping a few up, or you’d simply like to absorb some of the best two-wheeled nostalgia that New Zealand has to offer, viewing kicks off on September 18, with the Webb’s auction house open each day from then until auction day on September 27. Viewing hours are listed below:

  • Friday, September 18: 9am–5pm
  • Saturday, September 19: 10am–4pm
  • Sunday, September 20: 10am–4pm
  • onday, September 21: 9am–5pm
  • Tuesday, September 22: 9am–5pm
  • Wednesday, September 23: 9am–5pm
  • Thursday, September 24: 9am–5pm
  • Friday, September 25: 9am–5pm
  • Saturday, September 26: 10am–4pm
  • Sunday, September 27 (auction day): 11am

The originals – the Ledgerwood Collection

Thanks to Central Otago’s dry climate, it’s no surprise to find that Wanaka couple Jim and Daphne Ledgerwood are steadily developing an incredible collection of amazing coupes. ‘The Originals’ they have are as per factory new condition, and their aim is to keep them for everyone to see how it was done back in the day—pure nostalgia.
An occasional email from Jim usually reveals another gleaming addition. The collectors also have an impressive display of American pickups. It’s our gain and US enthusiasts’ loss, as car agent’s adverts proclaim, “Sorry you missed out. Gone to New Zealand!” Some of Jim and Daphne’s cars are almost part of the family, hence their nicknames.

To finish first, first, you must build a winner

Can-Am royalty
Only three M20s were built, including the car that was destroyed at Road Atlanta. This car was later rebuilt. All three cars were sold at the end of the 1972 season. One of the cars would score another Can-Am victory in 1974, driven by a privateer, but the M20’s day was done. Can-Am racing faded away at the end of that season and was replaced by Formula 5000.
These days the cars are valued in the millions. It was unlikely that I would ever have seen one in the flesh if it hadn’t been that one day my editor asked me if I would mind popping over to Taranaki and having a look at a pretty McLaren M20 that somebody had built in their shed.
That is how I came to be standing by the car owned and built by truck driver Leon Macdonald.