3 DAYS TO PARIS....

Its just killing me.  I'm not going to be in Paris for Rétromobile, or the Bonhams auction at the Grand Palais, the most spectacular auction venue in the world.  Instead, I'll be in SoCal, for Conrad Leachs' show, the Rin Tanaka's Inspiration show at the Queen Mary, and to do some riding with Jérome and Dimitri Coste, and Conrad.  A fair trade?   Would that all the above were in Paris!

What a machine!  The road-going, ex-racer 1968 Egli Vincent, for sale at Bonhams Grand Palais...

But, if you haven't checked over the Bonhams Grand Palais sale list, it's worth a linger, as there's some really tasty machinery.  Top of the list, perhaps not historically, but in terms of sheer sex appeal, is this original 1968 Egli Vincent, which I commented on for Megadeluxe, and was then picked up by BikeExif.  Just about the fastest and best handling road bike of the late 1960s; truly the King of the Road.  And, not a recent build, but an original, built by sidecar racer Pete Gerrish, using a frame and wheels bought directly from Fritz Egli in 1968.  It won first time out on the race track, and its no wonder - there was nothing out there to touch it for sheer speed in '68.  One can dream... but one will buy.

Still the 24-Hour record-holder, since 1963!  The amazing Garelli Sport 50

Garellis aren't that well known in the US, but every young rider of a certain age (late 60s thru 70s) in Europe lusted after their hotrod lightweights, which were also racking up track success, and knocking back World Records for lightweight machines.  The above machine set a 24-hour World Record for 50cc bikes, at 67.59mph in 1963, which still stands today!  How many opportunities to buy a World Record holder have you been offered recently?  This machine has the perfect combination of a cobby, handbuilt feel, and a complete absence of a 'restorer's' ruinous touch.  It is simply remarkable, regardless of capacity.  A 23-machine Garelli collection of GP racers and record-breakers are going under the hammer...all of them are worth a look.

Lots of exhaust and carburetor for a 350cc!  The 1926 Garelli GP racer

My favorite machine in the sale is this 1926 Garelli 350cc split-single two stroke GP racer, the ultimate version of a long line of split-singles from the marque, which were very successful racers and record-breakers, typically bagging records in all capacities up to 1000cc!  This machine speaks to the Romantic era of motorcycle racing in Italy in the 1920s, when Tazio Nuvolari and Achille Varzi were racing Sunbeams, Bianchis, and Garellis, before taking up four-wheel racing, and like John Surtees, becoming champions on two and four wheels.  Read more on the era here...

If you make it to Paris, send me photos!

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BONHAMS GRAND PALAIS, 2013

1926 Garelli two-stroke racer, they type which started many European champions on wheels

I rarely repeat press releases, but this one says it all...an impressive collection, at the most beautiful auction venue in the world.  Bonhams was forced by scheduling to skip a year at the Grand Palais (showing at an historic Paris warehouse instead, in Feb.2012), but it's welcome news they return to the grand old lady of Paris.  The Bonhams auction will of course coincide with the 30th anniversary of the Rétromobile show, at which it is rumored motorcycles will again be welcome (more on this as I find out...). If you needed an excuse to visit Paris for a few days, I'd say you've found a good one... Read to the bottom, for the Ultimate Coolness; a 1929 DeHavilland Gypsy Moth biplane parked in the Grand Palais.

1963 Garelli 50cc Monza record-breaker...'dustbins' were banned in GP competition in '57, but were perfectly acceptable for long-distance and high-speed record attempts

From the Bonhams press office:

"BONHAMS TO SELL MOTORCYCLE COLLECTION MADE BY ITALIAN FACTORY THAT LAUNCHED THE CAREER OF ‘FLYING MANTUAN’ TAZIO NUVOLARI

The entire Garelli Grand Prix Collection is offered at No Reserve at the Bonhams sale at the Grand Palais in Paris. A second collection for the 6^th to 7^th February sale features some 55 machines from the early Vintage era to the modern day

Two single-owner collections will headline the motorcycle section of the Bonhams sale at the Grand Palais in Paris, France, in early February 2013.

1983 ex-Eugenio Lazzarini GP racer, the year Garelli won the Manufactuer's World Title

The Garelli Grand Prix Collection comprises some two-dozen historic racing motorcycles from the celebrated Italian manufacturer, many from the factory’s 1980s heyday, and a selection from its pre-war days. All the machines, which were housed by their current owner in a private chapel, will be sold at no reserve.

Highlights include the 1963 Garelli 50cc Monza world-record-breaker (estimate €50,000 - €70,000); the ex-Eugenio Lazzarini 1983 50cc racer that helped Garelli to the manufacturers’ World Championship that year (estimate €12,000 - €17,000); and a 1987 example of the 125cc twin that won six riders’ World Championships and four manufacturers’ titles during the 1980s (estimate €7,000 - €12,000). Garelli Motorcycles was founded in 1919. Many famous Italian racers – including Ernesto Gnesa, Tazio Nuvolari and Achille Varzi – began their racing careers on Garelli bikes, and in the early 1980s the factory dominated the 125 class in Grand Prix motorcycle racing, winning six consecutive world championships between 1982 and 1987.

1987 Garelli 125cc GP racer

Also forming part of the collection are two important non-Garelli racing motorcycles: the ex-Fred Merkel Honda RC30 ridden by the American World Superbike champion during the 1989/90 season (estimate €20,000 - €30,000), and the 1989 Yamaha TZ250W used by French star Jean-François Baldé during his final season of Grand Prix racing (estimate €3,500 - €5,500).

Lining up alongside the Garellis is an important French private collection assembled by garage-owning enthusiast owner, the late Claude Lesellier. The eclectic mix of some 55 machines includes French, British, German and American motorcycles dating from the early Vintage era to the modern day. Highlights include:

1916 Indian Powerplus 1000cc, with full springing

• 1935 Magnat Debon 750cc VMA v-twin (estimate €8,000 - €12,000)
• 1950 Terrot 500cc RGST (estimate €4,500 - €6,500)
• 1945 Terrot 350cc JSS (estimate €3,000 - €4,000)
• 1929 Rhonyx 500cc GX (estimate €6,000 - €10,000)
• 1930 Dollar 500cc S3 (estimate €5,000 - €6,000)
• 1927 Automoto 500cc AL11 Supersport (estimate €10,000 - €15,000)
• c.1921 Magnat Debon 250cc (estimate €6,500 - €8,500)
• 1918 Harley-Davidson Model 18F Combination (estimate €16,000 - €20,000)
• 1916 Indian 1,000cc Powerplus (estimate €20,000 - €25,000)
• 1930 Stylson 350cc RH (estimate €4,000 - €5,000)
• 1931 Arbinet 350cc BSSC (estimate €5,000 - €7,000)

Bugatti Type 54, ex-Achille Varzi

Among other lots already consigned for the auctions is the 1929 American Moth Corporation De Havilland 60GMW Gipsy Moth biplane that featured in the 1985 Oscar-winning film ‘Out of Africa’ (starring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford), and the ex-works Bugatti Type 54 that raced at Monza on 6th September 1931 in the hands of Achille Varzi (estimate €2.5 million - €3.5 million)."

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