Australian classic: 1914 Mostyn

It's not often a piece of Australian motorcycling history like this one comes along - a pristine condition 60cc Mostyn motorcycle from 1914 that will be auctioned at the Shannons Spring Classic Vehicle Auction in Melbourne on August 27.

The auction house predicts the Mostyn will attract prices in the high $20k to low $30k region.

The ultra-rare bike is a flawless example of an Australian-built motorcycle of the Veteran era, and that it is auctioned in Melbourne is fitting -- it was constructed in Melbourne in 1914 by A.G.Healing of Little Bourke Street in said city.

Making use of an English Precision Big Four single-cylinder engine and a Sturmey Archer three-speed hub transmission, it was given a once over by William 'Mostyn' Tanner (of 200 Canterbury Road, Canterbury), the man who eventually badged and sold the bike.

The 60cc Mostyn is fully operational and this is due to carefully cloistered life. It was originally untouched for close to 40 years after being built and was only uncrated in 1953, after which it spent almost two decades adorning the shop front of a motorcycle retailer in Melbourne's well-known motorbike precinct on Elizabeth Street.

Later the 1914 Mostyn was part of the Maffra Motor Museum display, and has been kept in almost brand-new condition since its assembly early in the 20th century.

This particular Mostyn has also been written about. It features in the A-Z of Australian Made Motorcycles 1893-1942, written by Robert Seward.

Plenty of other motorcycles will be up for auction, including a couple of other collectibles, such as a 1937 Norton ES2 500cc racer (guiding range $8,000-$11,000) and a no reserve 1958 Italian MV Agusta 125cc ($6,000-$10,000).

The auction will take place during the Shannons Spring Classic Vehicle Auction in Melbourne on August 27 - call Christophe Boribon on (03) 8588 0809 or check out Shannons.com.au for more details.