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LOT 458 N

c.1935 Koehler-Escoffier Racing Motorcycle Frame no. 142 Engine no. BZ13425

Estimate: £3,000 - £4,000
Lot 458N

c.1935 Koehler-Escoffier Racing Motorcycle
Frame no. 142 Engine no. BZ13425

c.1935 Koehler-Escoffier Racing Motorcycle
Frame no. 142
Engine no. BZ13425

The French Koehler-Escoffier marque was founded in Lyons in November 1912 by partners Marcel Koehler, an engineer, and Jules Escoffier, who had previously been employed at Magnat-Debon as a works rider/mechanic. Escoffier died in 1914 and at the war's end Koehler sold the firm, which was acquired by another engineer, Raymond Guignet. These days Koehler-Escoffier is best remembered for its Guiguet-designed, overhead-camshaft 'Mandoline' 500cc single, so called because of the shape of the timing cover and cam drive, and the closely related 1,000cc ohc v-twin, which was unique at the time of its introduction in 1927. Manufacturing these expensive, relatively low-volume models, both of which were underdeveloped, effectively crippled Koehler-Escoffier, which was taken over by Monet-Goyon in 1929. From then onwards the two ranges became virtually identical, most models featuring Villiers two-stroke engines after WW2.

Presented in generally good condition, this restored Villiers-powered Koehler-Escoffier was purchased for the Pamplona Collection from a French private owner in Alcañiz, Spain. In February 2010 it was offered for sale by Bonhams at the RAF Museum Hendon (Lot 80) together with rest of the Collection and purchased there by the current vendor. There are no documents with this Lot.

Footnotes

As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.

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  • 28 April 2001, 09:00 - 17:00 BST
  • 27 April 2019, 09:00 - 18:00 BST

Lot symbols

NNOVA declaration
If purchased by a UK resident, this machine is subject to a NOVA declaration, whilst the responsibility of submitting the NOVA rests with the Buyer to do so, Bonhams will facilitate the process by engaging an agent (SHIPPIO) to undertake the NOVA and C88 (customs) application if applicable on the Buyer's behalf. A fee of £350 + VAT to do so will be added to the Buyer's invoice.

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