Description
This motorcycle is Lot 58 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. 1934 Benelli 500cc Turismo 4. T. N.**
Registration no. not registered (see text)
Frame no. 10-6857
Engine no. 4-TN 10-6857 and N3350 C
** 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.**
Italy's oldest surviving motorcycle manufacturer, Benelli was founded in Pesaro in 1911 by the six Benelli brothers, starting out as a general engineering firm repairing cars and motorcycles before turning to the manufacture of automotive and aircraft components in WWI. The firm diversified into the field of powered transport immediately after the war, offering a two-stroke 'clip-on' power unit for attachment to a bicycle, and it was this 98cc engine, installed in a purpose-built set of cycle parts, that was used for the first proper Benelli motorcycle of 1921. During the 1930s Benelli excelled on the racetrack, particularly in the '250' class, as well as manufacturing a wide range of roadster models in various capacities, at the top of which was a single-overhead-camshaft '500' featuring the then fashionable 'sloper' engine. Burman gearboxes were used at first before Benelli developed a similar one of their own. Distinctly British in appearance, the overhead-cam Benellis were among the fastest Continental sports roadsters of their day.
Purchased by our vendor from Verralls in April 2000 (invoice on file), this example of one of Benelli's stylish sporting models is presented in restored condition, currently displaying a total of 967 kilometres on the odometer (the engine turns over).
It should be noted that despite displaying the vehicle registration number 'CSJ 553', the VRN is not recorded in either the DVLA or HPI databases. Offered without documents, prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's registration status prior to bidding and will be responsible for any post-purchase DVLA applications should they wish to attempt to retrieve the VRN.
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.
