Description
This motorcycle is Lot 10 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
** 1904 Chater Lea 3½hp**
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 1802
Engine no. 10100
** 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.**
Founded during the closing years of the 19th Century, Chater Lea turned to the manufacture of lugs and fittings for motorcycle frames around 1900. Incorporated that same year as the Chater Lea Manufacturing Company Limited, the firm was soon supplying its high quality products to the greater part of the emerging British motorcycle industry, its rate of growth prompting a relocation from Golden Lane to larger premises in Banner Street, Clerkenwell, in 1912. The manufacture of components led to the supply of entire frames and around 1900 the firm was able to offer its first complete motorcycle using the proprietary Minerva 'clip-on' engine, a popular unit favoured by countless makes. Prior to WWI Chater Lea motorcycles accommodated a bewildering range of engines - more than a dozen different makes, in fact - before the firm began offering its own, alongside those of Blackburne and Villiers, in the 1920s. Motorcycle production was scaled down from 1930, by which time the firm had relocated to Letchworth in Hertfordshire, and finally ceased in 1936 after a total of around 5, 000 machines had been built.
This very early Chater Lea is powered by a De Dion Bouton engine with 'atmospheric' inlet and side exhaust valves, while other notable features include a Brown & Barlow carburettor, Brooks B90 gents' saddle, and Lucas acetylene headlamp. Presented in restored condition, the machine comes with a Sunbeam Motor Cycle Club Pioneer Certificate, confirming manufacture in 1904. Our vendor purchased the Chater Lea from Verralls in 1995 (see file).
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.
