LOT 103 *N

The Connoisseurs Collection, Part III c.1960 Valmobile Fold Away Scooter Registration no. not registered Frame no. not visible Engine no. not visible

Sold for £747.50 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 103^*,N

The Connoisseurs Collection, Part III, c.1960 Valmobile Fold Away Scooter

Motorcycles Online - The Summer Sale|15 June 2026, 13:42 BST|Online, Milton Keynes

The Connoisseurs Collection, Part III
c.1960 Valmobile Fold Away Scooter
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. not visible
Engine no. not visible

This Lot has arrived in the UK from overseas under Temporary Admission. Shippio Ltd must complete all post-sale customs clearance administration, for import or export, on behalf of the purchaser. A compulsory fee of £195 + VAT will be added to the buyer's invoice for this service. This Lot may not be collected from the auction venue by the purchaser or any third-party transporter until Shippio Ltd has confirmed that this Lot has cleared customs.

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

Designed by Victor Bouffort, the Valmobile 'suitcase scooter' was manufactured by Martin-Moulet in France (1955–56) and the Hirano Motorcycle Company of Japan (1956–61). The Valmobile had struggled to find acceptance in its native France but would prove much more successful in Japan. The Hirano version was powered by a 50cc two-stroke engine which drove via a novice-friendly single-speed 'twist 'n go' transmission. Top speed was around 35mph.

To ready the Valmobile for use the rider would lift the seat; remove the handlebars, cross-member and front wheel; and then assemble it – without tools! Hirano claimed that the process took only 30 seconds. The Valmobile weighed around 75lb and in its folded state fitted easily into the boot of most cars; unlikely as it may seem, it was marketed as a practical mode of transportation, intended for short-distance runs from the car park to the rider's final destination. Available options included a two-person seat(!); saddle bags; a low-ratio drive sprocket for hill climbing; and even a fold-away sidecar. By the time production ceased in 1961 Hirano had sold nearly 100,000 of these quirky little machines.

Our vendor purchased this example from a US auction in August 2000 (copy purchase paperwork on file). The engine turns over.

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

BUYER'S PREMIUM
The Buyer's Premium for this Lot is 15%+VAT on the first £500k of the Hammer Price, and 12%+VAT on the balance thereafter.

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.

CONDITIONS OF SALE, AUCTION INFORMATION & GUIDE FOR BUYERS
Please see the 'CONDITIONS OF SALE, AUCTION INFORMATION & GUIDE FOR BUYERS' at the top of the main sale page (Motorcycles Online - The Summer Sale) for all pertinent information regarding bidder's obligations, viewing, bidding, payment, post-sale collection & transportation.

REQUEST A TRANSPORT QUOTE
To request a UK or European Motorcycle shipping quote visit Moving Motorcycles.
To request an International Motorcycle shipping quote visit Shippio.
To request a Memorabilia and Spares shipping quote visit Mail Boxes Etc - Milton Keynes.

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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*	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.

United Kingdom

Three bound volumes for The Autocar 1914 & 1915, and The Motor, 1909,

£600 - £800

The Connoisseurs Collection, Part III, c.1960 Valmobile Fold Away Scooter

The Connoisseurs Collection, Part IIIc.1960 Valmobile Fold Away ScooterRegistration no. not registeredFrame no. not visibleEngine no. not visible

Footnotes

Additional information

Auction information

Lot Symbols

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The Connoisseurs Collection, Part III
c.1960 Valmobile Fold Away Scooter
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. not visible
Engine no. not visible