AN online auction of classic and vintage motorcycles saw sales totalling almost £250,000 - including 22 dragged out of a BARN.

The specialist classic motorcycle sale, held on May 6 by Charterhouse, featured a range of lots, including a collection of motorcycles found in a Cornish barn.

A total of 22 bikes hauled out of the barn sold for just under £70,000.

Richard Bromell, auctioneer at Charterhouse, said it was a successful sale, despite being held in unusual circumstances.

“Having worked in auctioneering for 35 years it was a first to conduct an auction behind closed doors with just staff overseeing social distancing for company,” he said.

“Bidding for many of the lots was fast and furious with buyers not only from the UK, but also the Isle of Man, America and Australia.”

The auction attracted huge pre-sale interest with 500 buyers registering to bid at the auction.

But it was the collection brought out from the barn which created a stir.

The top lot was a 1921 Royal Enfield V Twin motorcycle which sold for £13,270 to an internet buyer bidding against a telephone buyer.

The earliest motorcycle from the collection was 1911 Bradbury motorcycle with a wicker side car. An absentee commission bidder just missed out buying this early motorcycle and it sold to an online bidder for £9,840

Elsewhere in the auction, an important collection of Isle of Man TT road signs sold for £18,750 to a museum on the Isle of Man, a 1960 Rob North Trident replica £16,000, an a Norton Manx motorcycle frame, ready to accept an engine and gearbox, £10,500.

Despite the lockdown, the Charterhouse classic car and motorcycle division is continuing to value vehicles alongside the silver, jewellery, watch and antiques division, with clients emailing photos to info@charterhouse-auction.com

Charterhouse is now accepting entries for their specialist online classic and vintage car auction on Saturday, May 30, their next classic and vintage motorcycle sale and their next silver jewellery and watch auction.

Contact Richard Bromell at The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne 01935 812277 or email Richard with images at info@charterhouse-auction.com.