Description
This motorcycle is Lot 85 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. 1938 Rudge 245cc Rapid**
Registration no. not registered (see text)
Frame no. 63807
Engine no. L707
** Gearbox no. 6116**
** 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.**
Formed by the acquisition in 1894 of the Rudge Cycle Company Ltd by the Pugh family's Whitworth Cycle Company, Rudge-Whitworth built its first motorcycle in 1910 and its last in 1939. Unlike many of their contemporaries, Rudge did not use a proprietary engine but one of their own design: a 499cc single with inlet-over-exhaust valve gear. Today Rudge is best remembered for its pioneering use of four-valve cylinder heads. Its first four-valve production motorcycle appeared in 1924, and the company persevered with that layout until manufacture ceased at the outbreak of WW2. This technology was employed for the first time on a 250 in 1932. The Rudge 250 was unusual for its day in having coil rather than magneto ignition, though the latter became optional later. A two-valve Tourist 250 joined the range for 1935, becoming the Rapid the following year when the model adopted the marque's characteristic coupled brakes. With the deletion of the four-valver, the Rapid became the sole 250 (a Sports version with high-level exhaust was added for 1938) and the only Rudge to retain the left-side gear pedal to the end.
An older restoration, this Rudge Rapid was purchased by the current vendor from a UK auction in December 1993 (copy invoice on file). It carries a tax disc that expired in 1989 and displays a total of zero miles on the odometer (the engine turns over).
Despite displaying the Vehicle Registration Number 'HL 8871', the machine is offered without registration documents and the HPI report states that this motorcycle was exported in January 1994. 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 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.
