LOT 128 *N

The Connoisseurs Collection, Part III c.1950 Fuji Rabbit S-52 Motor Scooter Registration no. not registered Frame no. 52-S-52 N 01529 Engine no. FPA-11N013218

Sold for £1,265 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 128^*,N

The Connoisseurs Collection, Part III, c.1950 Fuji Rabbit S-52 Motor Scooter

Motorcycles Online - The Summer Sale|15 June 2026, 14:07 BST|Online, Milton Keynes

The Connoisseurs Collection, Part III
c.1950 Fuji Rabbit S-52 Motor Scooter
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 52-S-52 N 01529
Engine no. FPA-11N013218

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.

Previously the Nakajima Aircraft Co, Fuji was established in 1945 to manufacture civilian vehicles and was responsible for Japan's first motor scooter, the Rabbit S-1, which made its debut in June 1946, some months ahead of the Italian Vespa. The Rabbit was based on the American Powell scooter, examples of which had been brought to Japan by American servicemen. 25 different Rabbit models were manufactured between 1946 and 1968, making it the then last as well as the first Japanese scooter. At the top of the range was the 200cc S601 with 'Superflow' torque converter transmission, an innovative feature for a scooter of the early 1960s. The torque converter was also available on the 123cc S-301, which in automatic guise became the S-301 BH. Out of total S-301 production of 137,449 units between 1961 and 1968, only 11,700 were the torque converter-equipped BH version. Although not well known outside of Japan, the Fuji Rabbit has earned itself a place in Japanese popular culture as a symbol of nostalgia. Fuji Rabbits have been featured in Japanese anime cartoon series such as FLCL and Paranoia Agent and are a favourite among collectors of scooters and motorcycles in Japan. Many Rabbit parts are now reproduced in the USA.

An older restoration, the machine currently displays 17,781 kilometres on the odometer. The rear tyre has perished and requires replacement along with other various rubber components, including the bulb horn and handlebar grips which have perished with age. 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.

Offered without key

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.

Saleroom notices

The engine number is FE-11N013218.

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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10 June 2026, 09:00 - 17:00 BST
11 June 2026, 09:00 - 17:00 BST

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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.

£1,000 - £2,000

The Connoisseurs Collection, Part III, c.1950 Fuji Rabbit S-52 Motor Scooter

The Connoisseurs Collection, Part IIIc.1950 Fuji Rabbit S-52 Motor ScooterRegistration no. not registeredFrame no. 52-S-52 N 01529Engine no. FPA-11N013218

Footnotes

Saleroom notices

Additional information

Auction information

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The Connoisseurs Collection, Part III
c.1950 Fuji Rabbit S-52 Motor Scooter
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 52-S-52 N 01529
Engine no. FPA-11N013218