MkIII still in crate... How much would it be worth?
- Thread starter Johnnymac
- Start date
- Status
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2004
- Messages
- 1,616
I think those days are gone forever, Dave.
This one is currently at $18,000 - reserve not met! It makes you wonder how much they think they can get for it?
I'm afraid the poor bike is destined to remain in its crate forever, sitting in some collector's warehouse.
This one is currently at $18,000 - reserve not met! It makes you wonder how much they think they can get for it?
I'm afraid the poor bike is destined to remain in its crate forever, sitting in some collector's warehouse.
Rohan said:
It says on the box that it's a Roadster !
sonny-angel-ebay-t11595-15.html
...Seems we've got two threads going on the same subject...I hadn't noticed that 'till now !
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2010
- Messages
- 5,865
How Much for the CRATE ? 
Looks pretty second hand now , and was pretty scruffy in the first place .
Somebody had better hide the key , quick . Maybe itll end up in a museum .?
Intresting to see what a ' New ' Commandos worth to someonce .
Pity they dont still make them . :mrgreen:
Looks pretty second hand now , and was pretty scruffy in the first place .
Somebody had better hide the key , quick . Maybe itll end up in a museum .?
Intresting to see what a ' New ' Commandos worth to someonce .
Pity they dont still make them . :mrgreen:
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2004
- Messages
- 1,616
Engie said:
Yes, but you can't buy them in this country!
I see the auction bike finally hit reserve. Looks like a $3000 Norton inside an $18,000 crate to me. I'd buy the bike and tell him to keep the crate! I don't need any more projects though.
Last edited by a moderator:
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2009
- Messages
- 2,210
Looks like its going to be big bucks :!: Wondering if Barber or is it barbor will buy it, small fry to them :wink: and will fit the collection well. Thats assembled ,and not still in its grotty box.
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2010
- Messages
- 5,865
24.000 to you .Bugger , left my wallet at home . :wink:
:wink:- Joined
- Sep 26, 2007
- Messages
- 293
Sold for $24,000.
Good for you Sonny!
I've spent some time hanging around Sonny Angel's shop, talking with him and listening to his stories of riding and racing from the 1940's onward. He was a pioneer in many regards, and was a Norton dealer in the 60's and into the 70's. There is still a sign on the wall in the shop designating it as an official Norton dealership.
I remember pointing to different bikes in various corners of the shop (including several Vincents, NSU's, etc.) and asking if they were for sale. His usual answer: "That one is part of my retirement plan."
He even has a 4 cylinder Atlas, which he build as a prototype to show the Norton head honchos that water-cooled 4-cylinder engines were going to be the next big thing (this was in 1967, and as Sonny says with a shrug: "Apparently Honda was paying more attention to me than Norton. I couldn't convince the Norton guys."
So now, at 86, after running his motorcycle shop in the same location and working behind the same counter since 1953, Sonny Angel is finally putting his retirement plan into gear.
I can imagine his thinking, back in 1975, when he realized that NVT was going down the tubes and this would be the last year for the Commando - "maybe I should keep one of these, they might be worth something some day..."
Well that day has come. Sonny has been selling off bikes, beginning with Vincents last year, and now this $24,000 Commando Mark III.
I am going over to his shop in the coming days to see what's hidden back on the parts shelves, and to see if I can get him to part with that Norton sign, or maybe even that clock, or that old Ducati sign from when he was a Ducati dealer in the 70's.....
Here's to many more rides, Sonny. Hope that $24K buys enough gas for you and your Guzzi to get in a few thousand more miles!
And here's hoping that the rest of us are able to still be riding at 86, and still paring down on our collection of bikes!
Keith
Good for you Sonny!
I've spent some time hanging around Sonny Angel's shop, talking with him and listening to his stories of riding and racing from the 1940's onward. He was a pioneer in many regards, and was a Norton dealer in the 60's and into the 70's. There is still a sign on the wall in the shop designating it as an official Norton dealership.
I remember pointing to different bikes in various corners of the shop (including several Vincents, NSU's, etc.) and asking if they were for sale. His usual answer: "That one is part of my retirement plan."
He even has a 4 cylinder Atlas, which he build as a prototype to show the Norton head honchos that water-cooled 4-cylinder engines were going to be the next big thing (this was in 1967, and as Sonny says with a shrug: "Apparently Honda was paying more attention to me than Norton. I couldn't convince the Norton guys."
So now, at 86, after running his motorcycle shop in the same location and working behind the same counter since 1953, Sonny Angel is finally putting his retirement plan into gear.
I can imagine his thinking, back in 1975, when he realized that NVT was going down the tubes and this would be the last year for the Commando - "maybe I should keep one of these, they might be worth something some day..."
Well that day has come. Sonny has been selling off bikes, beginning with Vincents last year, and now this $24,000 Commando Mark III.
I am going over to his shop in the coming days to see what's hidden back on the parts shelves, and to see if I can get him to part with that Norton sign, or maybe even that clock, or that old Ducati sign from when he was a Ducati dealer in the 70's.....
Here's to many more rides, Sonny. Hope that $24K buys enough gas for you and your Guzzi to get in a few thousand more miles!
And here's hoping that the rest of us are able to still be riding at 86, and still paring down on our collection of bikes!
Keith
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2007
- Messages
- 293
The last time I saw the 4 cylinder Atlas it was sitting in his shop, next to a Vincent, which I believe he sold a few months ago. I suspect it has been parked there for the last 30 or 40 years. It wasn't the prettiest thing - I believe the engine was from a Brit car, but according to Sonny, his test ride was at an average speed of 75 MPH for about 800 miles on the highways, with no down time other than gas fill-ups.
He's got a hundred stories like that.
Keith
He's got a hundred stories like that.
Keith
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2009
- Messages
- 5
Norton Atlas, IMP engine. If you want to see it, see it soon. Will be stored away in a safe location on Friday. Beginning to clear some of Sonny's personal effects out of the shop, for safe keeping, cataloging, and the book I intend to write about him someday. Spent the last month having him tell stories at night, into the lens of my 7D Canon. So much history, so little time.
Thanks for the kind words, Keith. Very cool of you to say such nice things.
FWIW, the "crate" sold for 22K, private sale. The highest bidder never responded to e-mails (shocking). Of the 10 bikes I listed, only five of the winners actually contacted me.
Thank you all for spreading the word, and talking about this.
Mark
- Status
