LOT 38

1952 Sunbeam 489cc S7 Registration no. SSL 610 (see text) Frame no. S7 6166 Engine no. S7 298

Sold for £5,750 inc. premium

Lot 38

1952 Sunbeam 489cc S7
Registration no. SSL 610 (see text) Frame no. S7 6166 Engine no. S7 298

The Summer Sale - The International Classic MotorCycle Show (Three-Day Auction)|2 July 2021, 12:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground

1952 Sunbeam 489cc S7
Registration no. SSL 610 (see text)
Frame no. S7 6166
Engine no. S7 298

A wartime design by Erling Poppe, the Sunbeam inline twin was introduced by BSA, owners of Sunbeam Cycles Limited, in 1947. A luxury tourer inspired by the pre-war BMW, it was of advanced specification with overhead-camshaft engine, shaft drive and plunger rear suspension. The clutch housing and four-speed gearbox bolted directly to the back of the engine, which was rubber mounted in the duplex loop frame, an innovation that required a flexible joint in the exhaust system ahead of the silencer. The first S7 version was equipped with balloon tyres, a feature not carried over to the deliberately more conventional, and also lighter and cheaper, S8 introduced in 1949. The front fork and 7" brake were now standard BSA components and there were numerous other changes made in the interests of rationalisation. Never as popular as BSA's more performance orientated models, the gentlemanly S7 and S8 remained in production until 1957. This S7 comes with numerous invoices from marque specialists Stewart Engineering; a photocopy V5 registration document; some expired MoTs; and a Certificate of Permanent Export (exported 20/02/2004). The registration 'SSL 610' is recorded in the HPI database with an 'Export' marker. Accordingly prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's registration status prior to bidding and will need to apply to the DVLA to retrieve the Vehicle Registration Number.

Saleroom notices

Please click the link to view the walkaround video of Lot 38: click here

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
From 28 June 2025, the import into the EU of non-EU property of a certain age (and in some categories above a certain value) is subject to additional requirements. Under the relevant EU Regulation, it is the Buyer's sole responsibility to assess whether any Lot meets the criteria for import into the EU. The refusal of any required Import License or Importer Statement, or any delay in obtaining such License or Statement shall not give rise to the rescission or cancelation of any Sale, nor allow any delay in making full payment for the Lot.
Buyers' Premium and Charges
Like the vast majority of auctioneers Bonhams charge a Buyer's Premium on the Hammer Price of each Lot purchased and this is subject to VAT. Some lots may also be subject to VAT on the Hammer Price and these lots will be clearly marked with a symbol (†, Ω, *) printed beside the lot number.
For Automobilia the Buyer's Premium is 28% on the first £40,000 of the hammer price; 27% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £40,001 up to and including £800,000; 21% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £800,001 up to and including £4,500,000 and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,001.
For Motor Cars and Vehicle Registration Numbers the Buyer's Premium will be 15% on the first £500,000 of the hammer price of each Lot, and 12% on the balance thereafter.
A 3rd party bidding platform fee of 4% + VAT of the Hammer Price for Buyers using the following bidding platforms will be added to the invoices of successful Buyers for auctions starting on or after 6th July 2024 – Invaluable; Live Auctioneers; The Saleroom; Lot-tissimo.
VAT at the standard rate is payable on the Buyers Premium by all Buyers, unless otherwise stated.
Payment Notices
For payment information please refer to the sale catalog.
Shipping Notices
POST SALE COLLECTION AND SHIPPING INFORMATION
Cycling, Motorcycle Spares and Memorabilia (Lots 201 to 551)
All purchased lots must be cleared from the sale venue by 7pm Sunday 4 July 2021. All un-collected purchased lots shall then be removed to Bonhams storage facility at:
Bonhams Motorcycles
The Guard House
Bicester Heritage
Buckingham Road
Bicester
Oxon
OX26 5HA
Lots will be available for collection from 10 am Thursday 8 July by appointment only.
To arrange collection please contact the Motorcycle Department 0044 (0) 20 8963 2817 or [email protected] to make an appointment.
For all motorcycle spares & memorabilia shipping enquiries please contact Alban Shipping quoting your client, sale & lot number to discuss your shipping requirements.
Tel: 0044 (0) 1582 493099
Email: [email protected]
Please note Bonhams do not provide shipping neither do Bonhams pack lots. Should you wish to organise collection of your lots via a third party carrier, they must check and pack lots on your behalf upon collection.
Shippers or Agents wishing to collect on behalf of the purchaser must provide written instruction from the client before Bonhams will release the lot(s). All purchases are at the buyers risk from the fall of the hammer.
- Motorcycles