Description
National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
Viewing: Tues 24th March from 1pm
Auction: Wed 25th March from 9am
Location: National Motorcycle Museum, Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull B92 0EJ
1969 BSA A75 Rocket 3
From the Keith Mason collection
Estimate
£6, 500 - £8, 500
Registration No: VVK 468G
Frame No: A75 RXC01013
MOT: Exempt
Beautifully presented with great attention to detail
Possibly from the first day of production in Jan 1969
Supplied with manuals, receipts and a current V5C
A lifelong motorcycle enthusiast, Keith Mason started working in his local bike shop at the age of 15 before eventually branching out on his own a few years later. From humble beginnings selling secondhand bikes from a small shop, Keith built up the Moto GB empire to become one of the biggest motorcycle retailers and importers in the UK. The group has now grown to include 15 retail shops and is responsible for importing 9 different brands, also supplying many independent dealers, including QJ Motor, Voge, Lambretta, FB Mondial, Morbidelli, SYM and Hero. Keith sadly passed away in 2023, but in recent years he had put together a fantastic collection of his favourite classic bikes, ranging from a humble Honda Express to a beautiful Vincent Black Shadow, documenting his lifetime in the trade. We are pleased to offer all 31 bikes from this collection in our March sale.
The Birmingham Small Arms factory was established in the Small Heath area of Birmingham in 1861 and, as the name suggests, initially manufactured weapons. Around the turn of the century they started producing bicycles and progressed onto motorcycles a few years later. BSA went on to become one of the world's largest producers of motorcycles until its demise in the early 1970s. Their last new model was the 750cc 3-cylinder Rocket 3 launched in 1969 together with Triumph's similar Trident. The bikes in race trim dominated the early days of Formula 750, with John Cooper famously beating Agostini's MV Agusta in the 1971 race of the Year. Only around 5900 Rockets were manufactured between 1969 and 1972. The accompanying dating letter from the TR3OC says it was built in the Small Heath factory on the16th January 1969, and dispatched to BSA New Jersey, USA the day after. The frame number of A75R XC01013 suggests it's possibly one of the first ones off the production line. Beautifully presented in red, the engine has benefited from a top end overhaul, new carbs and an oil pressure gauge has been added for peace of mind. There are several owners manuals, handbooks and magazines accompanying the bike together a few receipts, old MOTs, a current V5C and two sets of keys. This machine is being sold as a collector’s item, part of Keith's stunning private collection of Vintage and Classic machines which have all been dry stored for several of years and will require recommissioning before use.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people).
