c.1964 Matchless G80CS

Greenwich Concours d'Elegance Online Auction|25 October 2021, 13:00 EDT|Greenwich, Hagerty Garage + Social

c.1964 Matchless G80CS
Frame no. C11406
Engine no. G80CS/5395

Previewing in Bonhams Los Angeles by appointment. Please contact [email protected] for scheduling.

Associated Motor Cycles (AMC) established a formidable reputation in off-road competition in the 1950s, winning the British 500cc Moto-Cross Championship on four occasions. In the USA, desert race victories by riders such as Walt Fulton and Bud Ekins ensured a healthy demand for AMC's Matchless G80CS and AJS 18CS scramblers.

AMC had announced its post-war range of Matchless and AJS heavyweight singles in June 1945. Housed in a rigid frame with Teledraulic front fork, the rugged overhead-valve engine drove via a four-speed gearbox. Hairpin valve springs were adopted for 1949 and a swinging-arm frame introduced - the latter initially for export only - models so-equipped being suffixed 'S'. The production scramblers also received the new frame that the works team had enjoyed since 1948, though the trials models kept the rigid back end. The scrambles engine went all-alloy for 1950 and subsequently received different cams and larger valves before being redesigned with short-stroke dimensions (86x85.5mm bore/stroke in the 500's case) for 1955. A new duplex frame appeared for 1960 and there were further engine improvements as AMC continued to develop its four-stroke scramblers to the end of production in 1969, but by then the days of such heavyweight machines were at an end.

Having most likely been recipient of a sympathetic restoration, the example offered here is a great example of that G80 competition version, very well kept and preserved by its late owner among his other vehicles. Since the bike has been static for some time, it currently does not start and will need necessary mechanical checks to get it safely back on the road, gravel or any surface wished by its new keeper.

Footnotes

Please note, the title will be in transit.

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 Premium and Charges
The final bid (hammer) price of each lot will be subject to a buyer's premium. For MOTOR CAR property the premium is 12% on the first $250,000 of the bid price and 10% on any amount of the bid price exceeding $250,000.
For MOTORCYCLE property the premium is 15% on the first $100,000 of the bid price and 10% on any amount of the bid price exceeding $100,000.
For AUTOMOBILIA or non motor vehicle property, the premium is 27.5% on the first $12,500 of the bid price, 25% on the amount above $12,500 up to and including $600,000, 20% on the amount above $600,000 up to and including $6,000,000, and 14.5% of any amount which exceeds $6,000,000.
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.
Payment Notices
Payment for MOTORCAR and MOTORCYCLE purchases may be made in or by (a) cashier's check or money order, (b) personal check with approved credit drawn on a U.S. bank, (c) wire transfer or other immediate bank transfer. Please note that credit card payments are not accepted for MOTORCAR lots, and only up to $5,000 for MOTORCYCLE lots. Credit card payments are accepted for AUTOMOBILIA lots. Any cash payments have a limit of $10,000.
Shipping Notices
Lots located at Hagerty Garage and Social (1 - 42) must be collected by Tuesday October 26 at 4pm EDT. A buyer can continue to store with this facility after 4pm on October 26 by informing Bonhams of their plans and agreeing storage terms directly with the facility. If no arrangements are made, Passport Auto Transport will automatically collect and store lot(s) at their storage location closest to the Bonhams' preview location.
For lots located at Bonhams' Los Angeles Gallery:
Motorcycle lots (101-110) must be collected by Thursday October 28 at 5pm PDT. If lots are not collected by this deadline, storage fees of $25 per day per lot will accrue and will be applied to the buyer invoice.
Automobilia lots (201-228), shipping quotes are provided upon request. If lots are not collected or shipping initiated by Thursday October 28 at 5pm PDT, storage fees of $10 per day per lot will accrue and will be applied to the buyer invoice.
DOMESTIC MOTORCAR TRANSPORT
Passport Auto Transport
Contact: Ed Watts, +1 (417) 588 4921, mobile +1 (314) 496 6228, [email protected]
DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL
MOTORCAR AND MOTORCYCLE TRANSPORT
Schumacher Cargo Logistics, Schumacher Secure
Contact Warren Barnes, +1 (310) 626 7117, [email protected]