A 1965 MV Agusta 500cc Grand Prix motorcycle with ties to racing legends Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini, and John Surtees, fetched a staggering £967,000 (US$1.31 million) at auction. The sale took place at Bonhams' Stafford Sale, held in conjunction with the International Classic MotorCycle Show on April 25-26, 2026.

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According to Bonhams, the $1.31 million price tag includes buyer's premium. While impressive, the sale narrowly missed the overall world record for a motorcycle sold at auction, which remains at $1.32 million, set by a 1915 Cycle V-Twin Board Track Racer at a Mecum auction in Las Vegas in 2025.

Despite not breaking the overall record, the MV Agusta did establish a new benchmark for Italian motorcycles sold at auction. Bonhams initially estimated the bike would sell for between £160,000 and £220,000 (US$216,000-297,000), but intense bidding drove the final price to more than six times the low estimate.

Other notable sales at the Bonhams Stafford Sale included:

  • Ex-Barry Sheene 1977 World Championship-winning works Suzuki RG500 XR14: This motorcycle, one of only two factory machines Sheene used in the 1977 World Championship, sold for £506,000 (including premium), setting a new world record for a Japanese motorcycle sold at auction.
  • Ex-Peter Hickman 2019 Smiths Racing BMW S1000RR: Ridden to victory at the 2019 Isle of Man TT Superbike, Superstock TT, North West 200, and Ulster Grand Prix, this BMW fetched £88,550 (including premium).
  • Circa 2005 replica of the 1885 Daimler Reitwagen: A replica of the motorcycle ridden by Gottlieb Daimler's son, Paul, sold for £48,300 (including premium), exceeding its initial estimate.

In total, the Stafford Sale generated £4.208 million in sales, with 100% of lots sold on the first day and 96% on the second. Ben Walker, International Department Director of Bonhams Collectors’ Motorcycles, described the event as a "landmark" occasion. Bonhams is now accepting consignments for its October Autumn Sale, which will include a 1972 Husqvarna 250cc Motocrosser previously owned by Steve McQueen.

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