Former Barry Sheene 1979 Suzuki Jeep given to the legendary double 500cc world champion by Suzuki GB – for sale with Silverstone Auctions £20,000 – £30,000.
The rate at which celebrity memorabilia is sky-rocketing makes this Jeep an investment purchase worth considering, owned as it was by the legendary Barry Sheene for five years. It comes to market with Silverstone Auctions on November 12th at the NEC Classic Motor Show.
It was given to double 500cc World Champion Barry Sheene MBE by Suzuki GB in recognition of his time as a Works rider and used by him for five years.
Ask any group of non-motor sport enthusiasts to name a famous motorcycle racer and there will be a few Valentino Rossis, a Mike Hailwood or two and undoubtedly the name Barry Sheene would be mentioned, despite the fact that his last motorcycle race was in 1984. His larger-than-life character, many girlfriends, spectacular crashes and regular TV appearances for ‘Brut’ aftershave alongside ‘Splash it all over’ Henry Cooper, made him a household name.
A dream for advertising executives and tabloid journalists alike, Barry Sheene (1950-2003) won more international 500cc and 750cc races between 1975 and 1982 than any rival. Although, Kreidler, Derbi and Yamaha also featured on his CV, it was whilst at Suzuki that he became a legend. Among the first LJ80Rs to arrive in the UK, `HGO 747T’ was supplied by Suzuki GB to double world champion Barry Sheene for promotional duties and use as a pit vehicle. Dating from 1979 and originally painted Pastel Blue with Black signwriting (including Sheene’s famous number`7′ decals) and a red stripe, the diminutive 800cc-engined 4×4 was later registered to the flamboyant rider’s home address and remained with him until 1987 when he migrated to Australia.
The Jeep’s next owner was Ian Catford – Suzuki GB’s contemporary marketing director – who lost little time in reinstating its full `Barry Sheene’ livery. Bought by a Mr Royle thereafter, the LJ80R was pressed into everyday use before being sold to Suzuki main dealers, CMW Automobiles of Cuckfield, Sussex during the early 1990s. A showroom exhibit when not appearing at outside events or being loaned to Suzuki GB, `HGO 747T’ was retained by CMW Automobiles’ proprietor Richard Ferris upon his retirement in 2007, kept garaged and only used occasionally. In 2013, HGO was offered at auction and purchased by the vendor to join his impressive Collection of road and race cars where it has remained ever since.
The indicated mileage is 26,170, supported by old MOTs and invoices, and the car appears in very good overall condition and certainly starts and drives like a low mileage Japanese car. The Suzuki is not only a fantastic piece of motorsport memorabilia but also an interesting vehicle in its own right as a rare survivor of the LJ80 range of lightweights ‘Jeeps’ which caused quite a stir when they arrived in the UK in the late seventies. It features a soft top hood and removable doors and, although only 800cc, this little four-wheel-drive LJ has a real ‘go anywhere’ look.
It’s supplied with an owners manual, service manual, a number of older MOTs and maintenance invoices, a couple of older V5s and DVLA Licence Applications in Barry Sheene’s name and address in Horley, a Suzuki GB Bulletin, the auction catalogue from 2013 and period photographs taken at Effingham Park Hotel during one of Suzuki GB’s annual conferences.
This lovely little Jeep with connections to one of motorcycle racing’s truly great characters, makes it worth bidding on. It would look at home in any motor sport enthusiast’s collection.
More information about this ‘collectors must have’ can be found online at the Silverstone Auctions and interested parties will be able to view the car in person from 10am on Friday the 11th November at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show at the NEC, Birmingham (B40 1NT). Silverstone Auctions will be providing two days of exciting live auctions at this event, with cars going under the hammer on Saturday 12th and Motorcycles and Automobilia on Sunday 13th.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT
Howard Hill-Lines
07831 282127
howard@silverstoneauctions.com
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