Description
This motorcycle is Lot 175 of Bonhams Motorcycles Online – The Summer Sale; open for bidding 5-15th June 2026. This Lot is available for public view and eventual collection from Bonhams Motorcycle Department, Milton Keynes.
Please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Auction Timings:
Bidding on all Lots commences Friday 5 June, 12:00 noon.
Bidding closes Monday 15 June, 12:00 noon, starting with Lot 1
Each subsequent Lot will then close one minute apart unless bidding remains active.
Public Viewing (BY APPOINTMENT ONLY):
All Lots:
Wednesday 10 June, 9am - 5pm
Thursday 11 June, 9am - 5pm
Please email using the button below with your availability to schedule an appointment.
Lot 175
The Connoisseurs Collection, Part III
c. 1959 Velocette LE Mark III
Registration no. not registered (see text)
Frame no. not visible
Engine no. 200/ 22044
This Lot has arrived in the UK from overseas under Temporary Admission. Shippio Ltd must complete all post-sale customs clearance administration, for import or export, on behalf of the purchaser. A compulsory fee of £195 + VAT will be added to the buyer's invoice for this service. This Lot may not be collected from the auction venue by the purchaser or any third-party transporter until Shippio Ltd has confirmed that this Lot has cleared customs.
If this Lot is to remain in the UK, or is not exported within 90 days of the sale, Import VAT at 5% of the hammer price will be payable.
Launched in 1948, as the 'motorcycle for everyman', the Velocette LE addressed the criticisms most often levelled at motorcycles - that they were noisy, dirty and needed special clothing to ride - achieving impressive levels of silence, comfort and practicality. Sadly for the LE, its arrival coincided with the start of the scooter boom; asked to compete against Italian style, Velo's ugly duckling never stood a chance, even after the sidevalve flat twin's performance had been boosted by a capacity increase from 149 to 192cc in 1950 with the introduction of the MkII.
This LE is an example of the MkIII which was introduced for 1959, its principal improvement being a four-speed, foot-change gearbox with kick-starter. In addition, the speedometer, ammeter and light switch were moved from the leg shield to the headlamp shell.
Carrying a tax disk expired in June 1990, this LE MkIII is presented in restored condition and currently displays a total of 518 miles on the odometer presumably since restoration (the engine turns over). It should be noted that the handlebar grips appear to have melted, leaving an unsightly residue on the bodywork; this damage having occurred while in transit. The machine comes with a hand pump and is sold strictly as viewed. The registration displayed on the machine - 'HWP 209' - is not on the HPI database and there are no documents linking the machine to it.
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.
£1, 500 - 2, 000
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.
