LOT 10 *N

The Connoisseurs Collection, Part II 1904 Chater Lea 3½hp Registration no. not registered Frame no. 1802 Engine no. 10100

Sold for £8,625 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 10^*,N

The Connoisseurs Collection, Part II, 1904 Chater Lea 3½hp

The Spring Stafford Sale - The International Classic MotorCycle Show|25 April 2026, 14:30 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground

The Connoisseurs Collection, Part II
1904 Chater Lea 3½hp
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 1802
Engine no. 10100

The Lot is from outside the UK. Shippio Ltd must automatically uplift this Lot after the auction, complete all post sale import or export customs administration, and store this Lot until it is customs cleared. A compulsory fee of £350 + VAT will be added to the buyer's invoice for this. This Lot cannot be collected from the auction venue by the purchaser or any alternative transporter.

If the Lot is to stay in the UK or is not exported within 90 days of sale, Import VAT at 5% on the hammer price is payable.

Founded during the closing years of the 19th Century, Chater Lea turned to the manufacture of lugs and fittings for motorcycle frames around 1900. Incorporated that same year as the Chater Lea Manufacturing Company Limited, the firm was soon supplying its high quality products to the greater part of the emerging British motorcycle industry, its rate of growth prompting a relocation from Golden Lane to larger premises in Banner Street, Clerkenwell, in 1912. The manufacture of components led to the supply of entire frames and around 1900 the firm was able to offer its first complete motorcycle using the proprietary Minerva 'clip-on' engine, a popular unit favoured by countless makes. Prior to WWI Chater Lea motorcycles accommodated a bewildering range of engines - more than a dozen different makes, in fact - before the firm began offering its own, alongside those of Blackburne and Villiers, in the 1920s. Motorcycle production was scaled down from 1930, by which time the firm had relocated to Letchworth in Hertfordshire, and finally ceased in 1936 after a total of around 5,000 machines had been built.

This very early Chater Lea is powered by a De Dion Bouton engine with 'atmospheric' inlet and side exhaust valves, while other notable features include a Brown & Barlow carburettor, Brooks B90 gents' saddle, and Lucas acetylene headlamp. Presented in restored condition, the machine comes with a Sunbeam Motor Cycle Club Pioneer Certificate, confirming manufacture in 1904. Our vendor purchased the Chater Lea from Verralls in 1995 (see file).

Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning and/or restoration to a greater or lesser extent before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's completeness, history, authenticity, originality and mechanical condition prior to bidding.
Key not required

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 Spring Stafford Sale

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This Lot will be auctioned on Saturday 25 April, with the auction starting at 2:30pm BST.

Saleroom notices

The carburettor fitted is manufactured by Longuemare, not Brown & Barlow as listed.

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 client 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
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licences please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.

*	Import low rate
	VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.
N	NOVA declaration
	This machine is subject to post-sale customs administration and, for UK Buyers, 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 to do so will be added to the Buyer's invoice, as follows: for Live Public Sales: £350 + VAT; for Timed, Online-only Sales: £195 + VAT.

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25 April 2026, 09:00 - 17:00 BST
26 April 2026, 09:00 - 17:00 BST

Lot symbols

*	Import low rate
	VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.
N	NOVA declaration
	This machine is subject to post-sale customs administration and, for UK Buyers, 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 to do so will be added to the Buyer's invoice, as follows: for Live Public Sales: £350 + VAT; for Timed, Online-only Sales: £195 + VAT.