Description
This motorcycle is Lot 109 to be auctioned by Bonhams at The Autumn Stafford Sale (The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show) on 12 & 13 October, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Auction Timings:
Lots 1 - 176 are to be sold from 11:00 on Saturday 12th October 2024.
Lots 201 - 429 are to be sold from 11:00 on Sunday 13th October 2024.
Public Viewing:
Available 12th & 13th October 2024 from 09:00 until 17:00, at The Stafford County Showground (The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show).
Lot 109
Formerly the property of Arthur Lampkin
c. 1953 BSA 350cc Gold Star Scrambler
Registration no. unregistered
Frame no. MC2R105 (see text)
Engine no. BB32GS 110
First registered to BSA at Small Heath
Known ownership history
Present ownership for some 30 years
This Gold Star was originally allocated by the factory to the multi-talented Brian Martin, BSA's brilliant rider/ engineer who would later serve as manager of the company's Competitions Department. Martin effectively took the place of the departed John Draper and quickly demonstrated his prodigious talent. In his book Classic British Trials Bikes, off-road authority Don Morley says this of Martin: "Within days of joining the factory team, he was to win the Victory trial, beating Draper on his old bike, before going straight off on the Monday to commence a winning International Six Day Trial ride on the twin machine (continuing with its successful Maudes Trophy attempt), dashing back to win the Worcester Grand National scramble on the following Sunday, and joining the army to commence National Service the day after!" Following in the footsteps of fellow rider/ engineer, Bill Nicholson, Martin continued the work of turning the Gold Star into one of the finest off-road competition machines of its era.
According to its original old-style logbook, this Gold Star was first registered to BSA at Small Heath as 'BSA 350' and was retained by the factory until November 1962 when it was sold to its first private owner, Joseph Edward Davies of Staffordshire. Four more owners are listed, the last being A & A Lampkin (Silsden) Ltd, the family firm of the Lampkin brothers, Alan and Arthur. In the world of off-road motorcycle sport there is no more celebrated family than the Lampkins: brothers Arthur, Alan and Martin, and Martin's son Dougie, the latter winner of no fewer than five indoor and seven outdoor World Trials Championships.
The date of the Lampkins' registration is not recorded in the aforementioned logbook but it seems they acquired it between 1971 and 1974. The logbook also records a change of registration to '148 GOV'. In a letter on file Arthur Lampkin refers to the Gold Star as 'the old Brian Martin BSA', while in another piece of correspondence he states that it was owned by him (Lampkin) until 1991. The machine has the unusual frame number 'MC2R105' stamped to the upper rear suspension mount, and it should be noted that the original logbook, HPI and V5C documents incorrectly list the frame number as 'MCQR105'. The history file also contains copies of old registration documents and DVLA paperwork.
The machine kept the registration '148 GOV' until the current vendor retrieved the original registration 'BSA 350' circa 1997; however, it should be noted that the vendor has decided to retain the registration 'BSA 350'. Accordingly, the successful purchaser will have to apply to the DVLA for an age-related registration should the machine remain within the UK. Last taxed in August 2015, the BSA features a Smiths 120mph speedometer; Lucas competition magneto; alloy oil tank; and a Lyta fuel tank. Prior to bidding, prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to the authenticity of this motorcycle, which is sold strictly as viewed.
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.
