Description
This motorcycle is Lot 66 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
** c. 1970 Bultaco 125cc TSS Racing Motorcycle**
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. none visible
Engine no. M-600455-6
** 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.**
Spurred on by the successes achieved by tuned versions of its first model, the Tralla 101, Bultaco went one stage further and developed its first purpose-built racing motorcycle: the legendary TSS, 125cc prototypes of which began testing in 1960. About as simple as a racing motorcycle can get, the air-cooled two-stroke single developed 20bhp initially, which proved sufficient to win races at national level worldwide and compete without embarrassment in Grands Prix, provided the rider had enough talent. It was demonstrably the best 125 that privateers could buy at the time. Self-generating electronic ignition, a six-speed gearbox, and water-cooling were the most significant advances, the latter arriving on customer bikes for 1965. Geared primary drive came later.
Among the first racers to campaign the Spanish two-strokes in the UK were Tommy Robb and Dan Shorey, the latter taking the coveted ACU Star (British Championship) in the 125cc class in 1961. Armed with a 196cc TSS, Shorey enjoyed a phenomenal run of success in the 1962 250cc World Championship, twice finishing 4th behind a **** of works Hondas to end the year in 7th place overall. He also took the British 125cc and 250cc Championships that same year.
This water-cooled (believed six-speed) TSS was purchased by the current vendor from the Wavetone Ltd private collection, which was dispersed by tender in April 1995. According to paperwork on file, this TSS is believed to have been raced in the UK by Mike (Michael) Cook and is understood to have passed through the hands of Frank Sheene, father of two-time 500c World Champion, Barry Sheene. Frank Sheene imported Bultacos into the UK and was a renowned tuner of the little Spanish two-strokes. When Barry commenced his racing career in 1968 it was aboard one of his dad's Bultacos.
There was a Bicester-based club/ national level racer named Mike (Michael) Cook active in the late 1960s-early 1970s riding Spanish machinery, including Bultaco. It is quite likely that this TSS passed through Frank Sheene's hands before going to Michael Cook. The machine is an older restoration that has weathered somewhat, the rubber components having become hardened and embrittled (the engine turns over).
Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning and/ or restoration to a greater or lesser extent before returning to the track 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.
