Love story on two wheels heads to auction

A collection of motorbikes and scooters amassed by a romantic bike-mad couple over 40 years is going under the hammer at Chilcotts Auctioneers August sale.

In an era made famous by the music and fashions of ‘Mods & Rockers’, the romance in the 1960’s between a motorcyclist and a girl scooter rider blossomed into a long and loving marriage - and an impressive motorcycle collection. Accumulated over 40 years, and until recently hidden in sheds and buried under tarpaulins in rural East Devon, these motorcycles and scooters have been unearthed, and the bulk of the collection is now heading to auction.

Dubbed ‘Barry’s Bikes’, the collection features 13 classic motorbikes manufactured between 1925 and 1979. It was assembled by Barry Mason and his wife, Doris, who met at a dance hall in the 1960’s. Barry loved his British motorcycles whilst Doris preferred Italian scooters.  Sharing this passion for two wheeled vehicles, the pair frequently attended automobile auctions, buying not just motorcycles but also spare parts and ‘autojumble’.

A highlight of the collection is a very special Lambretta scooter; it’s the same model as the one Doris first owned. Barry bought it for her as a wedding anniversary present. The bike came from a village near Taunton, but when he went to collect it, Barry discovered it was not complete, just a box of parts. Unfazed, he lovingly rebuilt the scooter for Doris. This 1962 Li150 model, attractively finished in blue and white, is one of three vintage Lambretta scooters which are estimated to sell between £800 and £2,000 each.

Another notable motorcycle up for auction is a rare 1925 Triumph 494cc Model P which was a development of “The Trusty” Triumph, equipped with a 3-speed, hand-operated gearbox and all chain drive; it had a top speed of about 50mph and originally cost the princely sum of £42:17s:6d; the auction estimate is £4,000-£6,000. Amongst the other famous marques represented, including BSA, Royal Enfield and James, is a striking 1950’s Arial 500cc ‘Red Hunter’ resplendent in claret red, estimated at £1,200-£1,800. The collection also features ‘barn-finds’ and exciting restoration projects such as a 1937 Velocette 348cc MAC estimated at £1,000-£1,500.

Not content with just two wheeled vehicles, Barry and Doris had a soft spot for vintage cars too! The auction will also include a 1936 Austin 10 1125cc drop-head, a 1951 Riley RMD 2½ litre convertible, a 1953 Riley RME 1½ litre saloon and a 1956 MG TD 1250cc convertible/roadster.

There’s a lovely personal connection between the seller’s family and Chilcotts. Doris set up the office cleaning company that cleaned for Bonham’s West Country – which Duncan directed prior to setting up Chilcotts Auctioneers in 2004.

He said: “I first met Barry and Doris in 1991 and have fond memories of them as a couple; they were proud of the family, home and businesses that they had created together, they were such nice people and it’s an honour to be asked to sell this cherished collection.”

‘Barry’s Bikes’ is part of the Chilcotts ‘Collectors Sale’ which will take place on Saturday 15 August; viewing at the Dolphin Salerooms in Honiton High Street is available from 12 to 14 August from 9.30 to 4:00pm, and on 15 August from 8:30am. The sale starts at 10:00am.