Formerly owned by the late Chris Cornell, 2004 Voxan 996cc Black Magic

• Formerly owned by the late Chris Cornell
• 3,726 kilometres from new
• 14th Black Magic produced

Vincent, Hesketh, Buell and Voxan have one thing in common: all built highly desirable, limited edition, v-twin sports motorcycles and all ended up out of business. Voxan was founded in Issoire, France in 1995 by Jacques Gardette, whose ambition was to create a high-profile French motorcycle company, perhaps inspired by what John Bloor had achieved with the revitalised Triumph in the UK. The Voxan's unique, 72-degree, 8-valve, water-cooled, 996cc v-twin engine was built by Sodemo Moteurs, one of French motor sport's most prominent tuning companies. Its chassis was the work of well known designer Alain Chevallier whose Yamaha-engined machines had won several Grands Prix during the 1970s and 1980s, so all the right ingredients were in the mix. Sadly, the Voxan's magnificent engine was hamstrung by France's absurd 100bhp limit for motorcycles, but it certainly looked the part.

Voxan's first prototype was shown in 1997, with production proper commencing in 1999, by which time French aerospace company Dassault Aviation had stepped in to provide the necessary funding. The first, limited edition Classic roadster was followed by Café Racer and Street Scrambler models before the company, already in financial difficulty, was sold to new owners in June 2002. Production restarted the following year but in December 2009 Voxan was forced into liquidation again and acquired by Monaco-based Venturi Automobiles, which sees the company's future as a producer of electric motorcycles. Venturi's press release made it clear that there would be no more v-twin Voxans, referring to them as 'collectors' pieces'.

This wonderfully presented Voxan 'Black Magic' was formally owned by the late Chris Cornell, who in the 1990's fronted iconic bands such as Soundgarden and Audioslave and graced the James Bond film Casino Royale with the powerful theme song 'You Know My Name'. Although he passed away tragically in 2017, his legacy lives on and is considered one of the greatest singers of his time. This Voxan was gifted by Chris to the current vendor and good friend who has cherished it as part of his collection. They now feel it is the right time to let another custodian own this wonderful piece of motorcycling history. Offered with a copy of the French attestation bequeathing the motorcycle to the current vendor, current MoT, Voxan dating certificate and a V5C.
Offered with key