The Suzuki RG500 ridden by Barry Sheene to 500cc World Championship glory in 1977 is to be put up for auction by Bonhams in April. It’s the leading lot at The International Classic MotorCycle Show at Stafford, UK, as part of a collection of another 90 bikes from the same owner, as well as the Rex Judd Collection. Bonhams‘ sale take place on April 26.
Barry Sheene arrived at the season as defending 500cc world champion, Britain’s first in two decades and suddenly a household name, helped in no small part by the grin, the sideburns and the cigarette-holder insouciance. Sheene claimed six wins out of 11 rounds that season – Venezuela, Spain, Austria and a home victory at Silverstone being key rounds.
Frame 1201, the bike being auctioned, is one of two bikes he used that season at the one he used to cross the line at the final race of the season to win the title. He polished off the season by being crowned Shellsport 500 Champion, MCN Superbike Champion and MCN ‘Man of the Year’. The sister chassis is still retained by the family of Barry Sheene.
Frame 1201 was retained by Peter Agg, the chairman and managing director of UK importer Heron Suzuki GB, and the key man in convincing Suzuki to continue the Grand Prix campaign for Sheene. Agg retained the bike until 1987, and it’s been in the collection of the owner since then. It’s estimated at Between £160k and £200k.
It’s a big year for fans of Barry Sheene – the rider will be celebrated at all three Goodwood events this year, as reported by our sister publication Octane.
Another highlight of the auction is the above 1965 MV Agusta 500cc Grand Prix racer. Frame 1109 was ridden by Mike Hailwood and Giacomo Agostini, and details on its precise history have yet to be revealed by Bonhams; however it the year Mike Hailwood took the world title and Agostini, his young heir apparent, took his first victory. Offered at no reserve, it’s estimated at between £160k and £220k.
The sale also includes a collection of bikes from Rex Judd, a racer and collector with a particular fondness for early machines. He was a regular competitor at Brooklands in the 1920s and 1930s, and amassed a wide collection of motorcycles, including an 1898 Holden 800c Flat Four (£40k-£70k est), a 1910 Wilkinson TAC (£20k-£40k) and a 1928 Douglas 750cc Brooklands Special (£12k-£14k). There’s also the above 1911 Pierce Four, which is estimated at between £50k and £80k.
More details on the sale can be found here.
