Description
This motorcycle is Lot 8 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. 1927 Motosacoche 250cc Type L**
Registration no. SV 7788 (see text)
Frame no. 25216
Engine no. 1c10CNN 107295
** 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 in 1901, Motosacoche took its name from Henri and Armand Dufaux's self-contained cycle-motor power unit, literally 'une moto sa coche' or 'engine in a bag'. The 211cc motor was soon being turned out in substantial numbers by the Acacias, Geneva, factory, and the Dufaux brothers set up a subsidiary firm to market it in the UK. This led to collaboration with Royal Enfield, who supplied the cycle parts necessary to market a complete machine and used a Motosacoche v-twin engine when they returned to motorcycle manufacture in 1910. The Motosacoche and Royal Enfield ranges were effectively identical for the next few years, but after WWI the Swiss marque's presence in the UK market would be limited to supplying its MAG proprietary engines to other manufacturers.
Finished in light brown, this 250cc Motosacoche has the marque's characteristic inlet-over-exhaust engine and a Sturmey-Archer countershaft gearbox. There is a supplier's plaque fixed to the front mudguard revealing that the machine was retailed by Garage Robert Cave in Elbeuf, France. The Motosacoche was purchased by our vendor (via Verralls) from Brooks' Stafford Sale in October 1999 (Lot 340). At that time the machine was described as benefiting from a recent rebuild and in 'near concours' condition. It was MoT'd and offered with a V5 document for the registration 'SV 7788', but that V5 document is no longer with the machine. However, 'SV 7788' is recorded in the HPI database but subject to the usual import channels. 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.
An ideal Banbury Run mount, this charming French lightweight is offered with the HPI report and copies of the 1999 purchase receipt and catalogue description.
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.
