LOT 543

c.1950 Brockhouse 98cc Corgi MkII Registration no. Unregistered (see text) Frame no. 15600 Engine no. MK2 W24628

Sold for £1,725 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 543

c.1950 Brockhouse 98cc Corgi MkII

Motorcycles Online - The Winter Sale|15 December 2025, 12:43 GMT|Online, Milton Keynes

c.1950 Brockhouse 98cc Corgi MkII
Registration no. Unregistered (see text)
Frame no. 15600
Engine no. MK2 W24628

A development of the wartime Excelsior Welbike, a small 'fold-away' lightweight motorcycle designed for dropping by parachute, the Corgi first appeared in 1948. Its military ancestor was supplied to airborne troops from late 1942 and was designed to fit inside its own cylindrical container for dropping by parachute. The Welbike employed a low-slung tubular frame, on top of which sat the fuel tank, while the saddle was mounted bicycle-fashion on a tubular seat post. The tall handlebars could be folded down flat and the wheels carried 12½"-diameter tyres, the result being a masterpiece of packaging that could be fitted into a modified standard equipment container, measuring no more than 15" in diameter, for the purposes of the drop. A total of 3,840 had been supplied by the end of hostilities.

Manufactured by Brockhouse Engineering of Southport, the civilian Corgi version was powered by a built-under-license Excelsior Spryt 98cc single-cylinder two-stroke engine. A kick-starter and dog clutch were soon introduced on the Mark II version, and then for 1949 a two-speed gearbox and telescopic forks became available as options. This MkII Engine turns.

This Corgi belonged to the current vendor's late father and has been kept on static display for the past 40 years as part of a private collection. Following a period of inactivity and storage, this motorcycle will require re-commissioning and/or restoration to a greater or lesser extent and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's completeness, originality and mechanical condition prior to bidding. There are no documents with this Lot, and although the machine displays the registration number 'LGN 42', the latter is not recorded in the HPI/DVLA database. Accordingly, prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to the validity and status of this vehicle's registration number 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 Winter Sale) for all pertinent information regarding bidder's obligations, viewing, bidding, payment, post-sale collection & transportation.

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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.
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