Description
This motorcycle is Lot 87 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, The ex-Comerfords, Dennis Jones, Malcolm Rathmell, ISDT ** 1968 Greeves 256cc International Model (see text)** Registration no. not registered (see text) Frame no. 24IN198 Engine no. GPA5/ 7 1684 ** 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.** One of a relatively small number of ISDT models manufacture by Greeves, of which even fewer survive, 'UPA 22F' is one of four machines built by the Essex-based firm for their main dealer, Comerfords Ltd of Thames Ditton, who prepared them for the British Trophy Team's use in the 1968 International Six Days Trial held at San Pellegrino, Italy. This machine was ridden at San Pellegrino by Dennis Jones carrying the number '121', as confirmed by the official programme for the event. A (copy) photograph on file depicts the British team L-R: Dennis Jones (Greeves); John Pease (Greeves); Malcolm Rathmell (Greeves); Tim Gibbes (AJS); Jock Wilson (Greeves), Ken Heanes (Triumph); and Jim Connor (Comerfords Triumph). The Jones and Rathmell bikes were entered as '256cc' to gain entry into the over-250cc class, though whether they were actually bored-out is uncertain. The Trophy Team's two other (250cc) Greeves were ridden by John Pease and Jock Wilson. In the event, 'UPA 22F' was forced to retire with a broken chain. 'UPA 22F' was also used by the British Trophy Team in the following year's ISDT at Garmisch-Partenkirchen in West Germany, on this occasion ridden by Malcolm Rathmell carrying number '164'. He finished the event but lost marks following delays caused by a broken chain (again!) and an oiled spark plug on the final day, dropping him from Gold Medal to Bronze Medal level (see press cutting photograph on file). Later in 1969, this Greeves was used in various UK events, including the Edinburgh Trial where it was ridden by Dave Minton, before being sold to Grand Prix road-racing star Jack Findlay at the year's end. This was previously confirmed by the existence of a photograph, dated October 1969, showing Findlay taking delivery of the bike accompanied by Comerfords' Jock Wilson (Sadly however, this photograph is no longer in the file). In 1974 the Greeves was again sold by Comerfords, on this occasion to a Mr Jenkins, who used it both on and off road before retiring it around 1976. The next owner purchased the Greeves from Mr Jenkins in 1985 and restored it. In April 2002 he offered 'UPA 22F' at Bonhams' April Stafford Sale (Lot 358) where it was purchased by the current vendor. At that time we said: "the original ISDT scrutineering marks (were) retained wherever possible, and where not, photographed and repainted later. To comply with Road Lighting Regulations, the headlamp and rear lamp are now powered by a separate battery mounted under the seat, rather than directly from the flywheel generator. The machine has not been ridden since 1989. The Greeves was last taxed to 31st July 1989 and currently displays a total of 10, 958 miles on the odometer (the engine turns over with compression). Notable features include race number '164' (with a supplementary 'T') and scrutineers' marks to the wheels, shock absorbers, timing cases, fuel tank, frame and front forks (some marks inscribed '164'). This historic Greeves competition motorcycle is offered with the aforementioned photocopy photographs and an HPI report. Despite displaying the Vehicle Registration Number 'UPA 22F', the machine is offered without registration documents and the HPI report states that this motorcycle was exported in July 2002. Accordingly, 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...
