Hailwood collection sells out

The Honda RC173 motorcycle on which Mike Hailwood won the 1966 350cc World Championship was sold for a staggering £169,388 (including premium) by Coys in London last month as enthusiasts clamoured to acquire mementos from ‘Mike the Bike’s vast personal collection, offered in its entirety by his family.

The Suzuki RG500 on which he won the Isle of Man 7 in 1979, made £35,288. Fans with smaller wallets were able to buy leathers, a vast number of trophies, cups and awards, and even anoraks (one of which fetched £706!).

“It was a hugely successful sale,” said a Coys spokeswoman. ‘Every item sold, every stitch was snapped up.”

Hailwood, who lost his life in a road accident in 1981, aged 40, was an extraordinarily versatile and courageous sportsman. He won four World titles on two wheels and drove cars in 50 Formula One Grands Prix in a two-part career which spanned 1963-1974. While second remained his best GP result, at Monza in 1972, Mike won the European F2 Championship for his great friend John Surtees’s team the same year.