Description
This motorcycle is Lot 70 to be auctioned by Bonhams at The Spring Stafford Sale (The International Classic MotorCycle Show) on April 25th & 26th, please see the Bonhams Motorcycles Website for full details.
Auction Timings:
Lots 1 - 94 are to be sold from 14:30 on Saturday 25th April 2026.
Lots 201 - 353 are to be sold from 11:30am on Sunday 26th April 2026.
Public Viewing:
Available 25th & 26th April 2026 from 09:00 until 17:00, at The Staffordshire County Showground (The International Classic MotorCycle Show).
The Connoisseurs Collection, Part II
** 1954 NSU 247cc Sportmax Grand Prix Racing Motorcycle**
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 215512
Engine no. 789 855 R
** The Lot is from outside the UK. Shippio Ltd must automatically uplift this Lot after the auction, complete all post sale import or export customs administration, and store this Lot until it is customs cleared. A compulsory fee of £350 + VAT will be added to the buyer's invoice for this. This Lot cannot be collected from the auction venue by the purchaser or any alternative transporter.
If the Lot is to stay in the UK or is not exported within 90 days of sale, Import VAT at 5% on the hammer price is payable.**
From the start of the 1955 season the NSU Sportmax was simply the fastest over-the-counter 250-class racer on the market. As well as providing works-supported 'veteran' rider Hermann Müller with the 1955 250cc World Championship, the Sportmax was one of the most competitive lightweights of any kind available to the privateer, and in the right hands proved capable of a respectable showing in national events well into the 1960s. Other prominent stars Sportmax-mounted for '55 included John Surtees, Sammy Miller, Pierre Monneret and former NSU works rider Hans Baltisburger, while later in the decade an up-and-coming Mike Hailwood used the ex-Surtees example to spectacularly good effect.
In his excellent history of the marque, NSU – The Complete Story, renowned motorcycling authority the late Mick Walker states that well-informed sources estimate the total number of Sportmaxes produced to be 34, with a number of others constructed from spare parts after the NSU race shop was closed and sold off to the Herz family in the late 1950s. Today genuine examples such as that offered here are keenly sought after by collectors.
An older restoration (the engine turns over), this Sportmax was one of a group of machines purchased by our vendor in July 1996 via an Italian intermediary (purchase invoice and correspondence on file). Also on file is correspondence dated 31 May 1996 from Sammy Miller, in which he notes that a brass plate carrying the works number is a feature found only on genuine NSU Sportmax racers, while cautioning that many replicas exist and that careful study of original machines is essential. The example offered here is fitted with such a brass works frame number plate.
Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning and/ or restoration to a greater or lesser extent before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's completeness, history, authenticity, originality and mechanical condition prior to bidding.
Key not required
All lots are sold ‘as is/ where is’ and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams Motorcycles website for all pertinent auction information.
