Bonhams has announced details of its traditional Autumn sale, that takes place in Stafford at The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics show. This year, an extraordinary collection of 31 Speedway Motorcycles will be the centrepiece.
The Forshaw Speedway Collection represents 60 years of Speedway history, from its beginnings in the 1920s and through its glory years when it was the second most popular sport in the UK.
Led by an exemplary pre-war American duo of a Crocker and an Indian, the Collection also includes European solo style motorcycles with great marques such as BSA, Douglas, Norton and Rudge. The motorcycles are offered with associated memorabilia, including six engines and an extensive selection of race jackets.
The motorcycles and memorabilia were amassed by the late enthusiast and engineer Richard Forshaw, whose father, Captain Ivan Forshaw, was a former motorcycle racer before founding the family’s respected Aston Martin specialist business in Dorset. Richard was also, in his own words “a former, if undistinguished, Speedway rider now with a passion for collecting the machinery of the sport”. He tested his engineering skills by restoring some of the machines which was a ‘labour of love’.
Having been displayed at the prestigious Haynes Motor Museum for the past 25 years, the Collection is now offered with a total high estimate of more than £500,000.
Highlights of the sale include:
A 1934 Crocker Speedway 500cc OHV, estimate £100,000 – £150,000. Crocker’s hand-built master pieces earned the marque a legendary status, with its V-twin machines some of the world’s most valuable. Founder Albert G Crocker started out making Speedway frames for V-twins before producing more suitable single-cylinder machines. It is believed that no more than 30 – 40 single-cylinder bikes were produced, including this 1934 example, known as the ‘Red’ Rice Crocker after its original rider, which Richard acquired in a swap for a Brough-Superior in 1996. It has been described as the ‘most original known as it still has the correct Crocker tank, frame, etc.’ The motorcycle is totally original except for the seat which was replaced by Rice and so has become part of its history.
A c.1927 Indian Speedway 350cc OHV Dirt Track Model, estimate £90,000 – £130,000. The traditional red Indian was ridden by an early star of the sport, American Art Pechar. The American National Dirt-Track champion came over to compete in England when Speedway first arrived in the country in 1928, breaking the Greenford and Stamford Bridge mile records in the same day, 16 June. The machine, purchased by Richard in 1990, was carefully and attentively restored by him and is offered with various letters vouching for its authenticity.
1930 Norton Speedway 490cc OHV Speedway, estimate £14,000 – £18,000 – Norton’s attempt to cash in on Speedway racing. Its engine, based on their 70 x 100mm model 18 unit, had a two-port cylinder head but, unlike that of the Rudge, had only two valves. It was a heavy machine and easily outclassed by the Rudge and Jap engine bikes, so few were sold, and it remains a rarity.
1933 Martin-J.A.P. Special Speedway, estimate £12,000 – £16,000. Presented in fantastic ‘as found’ condition, this machine appears to largely conform to the catalogue specification and is still fitted with original 28 x 2.375 Avon Dirt Track tyres. In a letter from Richard dated 1998 it states he found it in a cupboard under some stairs where it had been stored since 1935.
1930 Wallis-Blackburne 500cc Speedway, £10,000 – £15,000. Although successful in road racing, very few Blackburne engines were used on the dirt. The frame is an early example of one of many made by George Wallis, who was involved with the early days of Speedway and knew exactly what was needed for dirt track racing.
The Collection is being offered by Richard’s children. The Forshaw family said: “It has been an honour being custodians of our father’s collection. It represents a lifetime of enthusiasm and hard work searching for such rarities, and we hope they will find new and appreciative homes where they will be cherished in the same way that he cherished them.”
Ben Walker, Global Head of Bonhams Motorcycles, said: “This is an extraordinary Collection assembled by a fastidious collector who was dedicated to the preservation of Speedway heritage. Aside from the exceptional Crocker and Indian, there are some very enticing and rare machines throughout, the likes of which haven’t been seen at a public auction for at least a generation.”
The Forshaw Collection has been on display at Haynes Motor Museum since Richard’s death in 1997, with the exhibition opened by six-times Speedway world champion Ivan Mauger.
Chris Copson, Collection Director at Haynes Motor Museum, commented: “We have been privileged to display this wonderful collection for the past 25 years. This summer will be the last opportunity for enthusiasts to see the complete collection together before it is auctioned at Bonhams in October and we hope that visitors to the Museum will get to do so.”
Bonhams Autumn Stafford Sale takes place at The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show, 15-16 October 2022. For further information: bonhams.com
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Image: c.1927 Indian Speedway 350cc OHV Dirt Track Model, estimate £90,000 – £130,000. Photo courtesy of Bonhams