MATCHLESS
The era twenty years either side of the Second World War can be regarded as a
golden age for motor bikes. The First World War had seen a huge production of
bikes for military use with Triumph alone making over
bike ownership considerably increased, and between the wars it was often, with the
help of a sidecar, the family vehicle for weekend trips and holidays.
Another impetus in the golden age was the coming of speedway.
be the birthplace, and certainly they produced some of the great riders in the early years. When English speedway was in its infancy, Australian riders and expertise
provided much of the help and inspiration. By 1930
The Firs on the
by the 1950's over 20,000 people gathered here to watch the local team. The Swede,
Ove Fundin, who for some years rode for
Many bikes in this golden age have become the stuff of legends. Lawrence of Arabia's Brough Superiors which he rode for fifteen years before his fatal crash in 1935 are perhaps the most famous. In popular culture the Triumph TR6 rode by Steve
McQueen in The Great Escape has become a cult symbol.
Sadly, the later history of British bike production was marked by mergers and bankruptcies. One result of this has been an increase in interest in bikes from the great days. Included in Horners Antiques and Collectors Sale on 23rd October 2010 was a Matchless 250cc CSR, complete with MOT. Matchless was one of the oldest British marques, having begun in 1899, and with strong racing connections. The example at auction, with the famous winged M, was a 1965 model. Epitomizing British craftsmanship, its sale provided the chance to buy an example from the glorious era of the motor bike.
This interesting auction included a large antiquarian and collectable books section (approx 100 Lots), a fine selection of jewellery including many diamond pieces, several good pictures, varied ceramics, etc.