Stafford, October 12, 2025, could be if not THE day to determine future classic motorcycle values, certainly a very important one as the market fights to re-establish and maintain benchmark "corrected" post-pandemic pricing.
Bonhams Cars Motorcycles will put up for auction more than 200 motorcycles, 60 bravely without reserve, at The Autumn Stafford Sale.
The highlight for many will be The Dunlop Family Collection, featuring Joey.
Dunlop’s 1988 Isle of Man TT-winning Honda RC30 and his 1999 Ulster Grand Prix-winning Honda RC45.
"These are amongst the most important race bikes we've ever had in a sale," said Ben Walker, Bonhams' International Development Director, something reflected in the £80,000-£100,000 sale price estimate for each machine.
The RC30 secured Joey’s Formula 1 and Senior TT victories in 1988, and the RC45 what many consider to be his unforgettable Ulster Grand Prix win in 1999.
Dunlop was known as the "King of the Roads". Over three decades, he amassed a record 26 Isle of Man TT victories, five consecutive Formula 1 World Championships, countless wins at the North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix and earned both the MBE and OBE for services to motorcycling.
The two motorcycles offered mark the final chapter of his extraordinary career: the RC30, on which Joey triumphed in the 1988 Formula 1 TT, and the RC45, which delivered a celebrated victory at the 1999 Ulster Grand Prix and was among the last bikes he raced, in Estonia, in 2000.
Preserved by the Dunlop family and long displayed at Joey’s Bar in Ballymoney, Northern Ireland, they were loaned out only for the most important commemorations, most recently for the 25th anniversary of his passing.
"We're expecting bidding from people who may have been to an auction before, but who will be directly connected to Joey's successes, or are from the road racing fraternity, particularly from Northern Ireland," said Ben Walker.
Dave Hancock, Bonhams Cars Motorcycles Consultant, added: “To offer one of these machines would be extraordinary; to offer both together - the TT-winning RC30 and the Ulster GP-winning RC45 – from the family collection, is a once-in-a-lifetime event. For collectors and road racing enthusiasts alike, this represents an unrepeatable opportunity to acquire the motorcycles that bookended the closing chapter of Joey Dunlop’s unparalleled career.”
A big part of the valuation of Joey Dunlop's two racers is they have stories to tell. Other bikes may sell for bigger bucks, but for different reasons.
Amongst them are a classically-rare 1937 Vincent Rapide - estimate £180,000-£240,000.
"It's an all matching numbers engine, gearbox and oil pump, restored by Colin Jenner - an acknowledged leader in Vincent repair and restoration. This bike was valued, four years ago at £270,000-£300,000, and had previously changed hands at £327,000," said Ben Walker.
"The Stafford auction pricing is therefore very realistic. It is without doubt now a buyers' market. We know there's an element of caution out there, but when opportunities in the current market come along people are buying.
"I believe such bikes won't resurface for many years, the next generation of classic bike buyers."
The Vincent, and a 1929 Brough Superior SS100, also with matching numbers, but some mystery about it, are likely to intrigue collectors. The Brough had been in racing driver and TV presenter Alain de Cadenet's motorcycle collection, completely off-radar since the 1970s.
Valued at £240,000-£250,000 in 2020, it went through a £25,000 engine rebuild while owned by de Cadenet.
"That bike's genuinely a hell of an opportunity, fantastic value for money," said Ben Walker.
"We're expecting a lot of competition for some of the bikes up for auction - collectors and buyers from 35 countries have registered to bid on some of the bikes."
That, he says, is a measure of where classic motorcycle interest is rising, although he cautions against buying with an expectation of making a short-term profit.
"I'd always say to never buy for investment, you could well be disappointed, but look after your classic bike, don't just stash it away and forget - it'll deteriorate. Keep it maintained, run it if you can, and pay great attention to the environment in which it's kept.
"And always buy the best you can afford, ensure it is matching numbers, and otherwise uncompromised in any way."
So could October 12, 2025 be the next day in the rest of classic motorcycle collectors' lives?
We'll be back with our assessment.
