Twelve motorcycles belonging to Top Gear presenters Richard Hammond and James May are to be sold.
The pair, whose future is uncertain following colleague Jeremy Clarkson’s sacking from the show, joked about their predicament after it was announced the bikes would go under the hammer at Bonhams Spring Stafford Sale later this month.
James said: “Just because I’m unemployed now doesn’t mean I have to get rid of everything. I was going to sell these bikes anyway. And those paintings, and my collection of Scalextric cars. Honest.”
James May, Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond (Stefan Rousseau/PA)
Richard said: “As a serious collector of motorcycles, it’s important to review one’s stable regularly, and the Bonhams Stafford sale is the ideal opportunity to move bikes on and possibly acquire new ones. I also have a canoe, and some Wharfedale hi-fi speakers, if anyone’s interested.”
Included in the sale is Richard’s 2010 Norton Commando 961SE, which could fetch as much as £18,500, while James’s collection includes a 2010 Yamaha SR400, which could go for £12,000.
James May and Richard Hammond with Jeremy Clarkson on the set of Top Gear (Ellis O’Brien/BBC)
Ben Walker, Bonhams international head of motorcycles, said: “Jokes aside, James and Richard are offering for sale some great motorcycles from their collections, including examples of Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda and Norton.
“We expect the collection to attract a lot of attention.”
The sale is at the Staffordshire County Showground in Stafford on April 26.
