Skip to main content

LOT 204

The Bob Howard Collection 1951 Sunbeam 487cc S8 Registration no. JJW 163 Frame no. S8-3697 Engine no. S8 5600

Sold for £2,185 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 204

The Bob Howard Collection, 1951 Sunbeam 487cc S8

The Bob Howard Collection
1951 Sunbeam 487cc S8
Registration no. JJW 163
Frame no. S8-3697
Engine no. S8 5600

Designed in wartime, 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 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.

The accompanying V5C document shows that Bob Howard acquired this Sunbeam S8 on 13th May 2005. Smartly presented, the machine currently displays a total of 9,982 miles on the odometer, which is presumed to be the distance covered since restoration. (It should be noted that the machine is fitted with a Hawker 12-volt alternator conversion.) Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning to a greater or lesser extent and thus is sold strictly as viewed (inspection highly recommended). Accompanying paperwork includes the original old-style buff logbook; Gov.UK MoT history (now MoT exempt); DVLA and HPI reports; tax reminders and old MoT certificates; and a selection of instruction manuals and parts lists.
Offered with key

Footnotes

All lots are sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.
Please see the Auction Information and Guide for Buyers at the top of the main sale page, for bidders' obligations. The Autumn Stafford Sale

REQUEST A TRANSPORT QUOTE

Please click the link to request a transport quote from our recommended transport company, Moving Motorcycles.

To request a UK or European shipping quote - Moving Motorcycles

To request an International shipping quote - Shippio

This Lot will be auctioned on Sunday 12 October, with the auction starting at 11am GMT.

Additional information

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our Motorcycles specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

Specialist section

Auction Viewings

  • 11 October 2025, 09:00 - 17:00 BST
  • 12 October 2025, 09:00 - 17:00 BST

Bid now on these items

Triumph T90 Racer
United Kingdom
Coming soon

Triumph T90 Racer

£1,500 - £3,000
1954 Moto Guzzi 250 Airone Sport
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1954 Moto Guzzi 250 Airone Sport

£2,000 - £3,000
1978 Moto Guzzi Le Mans MkI
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1978 Moto Guzzi Le Mans MkI

£1,500 - £2,500
c.1970 Moto Guzzi 850GT
United Kingdom
Coming soon

c.1970 Moto Guzzi 850GT

£1,500 - £2,000
1993 Triumph Speed Triple 995i,
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1993 Triumph Speed Triple 995i,

£1,600 - £2,400
1969, Norton Commando 750 Fastback Project
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1969, Norton Commando 750 Fastback Project

£1,500 - £2,000
c.1970 Honda CB450 DOHC
United Kingdom
Coming soon

c.1970 Honda CB450 DOHC

£1,500 - £2,500
1982 Yamaha XS650
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1982 Yamaha XS650

£1,800 - £2,400
1952 Moto Guzzi 250 Airone Sport
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1952 Moto Guzzi 250 Airone Sport

£2,000 - £3,000
1969 Moto Guzzi V7 Special
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1969 Moto Guzzi V7 Special

£1,500 - £2,000
c.1980 Honda 49cc 'CR110 Replica' Racing Motorcycle
United Kingdom
Coming soon

c.1980 Honda 49cc 'CR110 Replica' Racing Motorcycle

£2,000 - £3,000
1978 Yamaha XS650 Special
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1978 Yamaha XS650 Special

£1,800 - £2,400
1980 Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans MkII,
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1980 Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans MkII,

£2,000 - £3,000
c.1965 Yamaha 305 YM1
United Kingdom
Coming soon

c.1965 Yamaha 305 YM1

£1,800 - £2,400
1972 Ducati 350 Mk3
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1972 Ducati 350 Mk3

£2,000 - £5,000
1976 Moto Guzzi Le Mans MkI
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1976 Moto Guzzi Le Mans MkI

£2,000 - £3,000
1966 Honda CB450 'Black Bomber'
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1966 Honda CB450 'Black Bomber'

£2,000 - £4,000
1976 Honda CB750
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1976 Honda CB750

£2,400 - £4,400
1971 Honda CB750
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1971 Honda CB750

£2,400 - £4,400
1978 Ducati SD 900 Darmah
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1978 Ducati SD 900 Darmah

£2,400 - £3,400
A rare Elliott Brothers double speedometer/odometer,
United Kingdom

A rare Elliott Brothers double speedometer/odometer,

£2,000 - £3,000
A wicker-cased picnic set for four persons by G.W.Scott & Sons, circa 1905,
United Kingdom

A wicker-cased picnic set for four persons by G.W.Scott & Sons, circa 1905,

£1,800 - £2,400
A Victorian pedal car, circa 1900,
United Kingdom

A Victorian pedal car, circa 1900,

£1,800 - £2,400
A Tricycle Velocipede, 1870s, originally housed in the Estate of Osbourne House, 1870s-1901,
United Kingdom

A Tricycle Velocipede, 1870s, originally housed in the Estate of Osbourne House, 1870s-1901,

£2,000 - £3,000