Overcoming a racing legend like Giacomo Agostini, at the time, was only in the hands of “his peers.” One of those stars at the controls of a motorcycle was Mike Hailwood who, among other feats, managed to snatch the 1966 three and a half world title from the Italian piloting a Honda RC173 350. That motorcycle is the same as The next one on November 15 will be auctioned by Iconic Auctioneers.
Honda RC173 350: the highlight of the event
Legend has it that there was a time when guys made of different stuff spent their lives going full throttle from curve to curve between straw markers. A time when names of the stature of Mike Hailwood himself were crowned year after year as the fastest on the planet at the controls of a motorcycle.
It is precisely the latter that is the other part of the equation that gives shape to this story, one of the main protagonists of the autumn event. “The iconic motorcycle sale at the 2026 NEC Classic Motor Show”. This initiative, as described by its creators, will be their last motorcycle auction in 2026 and will be held at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show at the NEC in Birmingham (B40 1NT).
A motorcycle born to win
The organizers of this macro auction say that we are looking at one of the most historically important Hondas that have been put up for sale in recent years. And they are right in stating this taking into account the pedigree of the bike, as well as the history surrounding its performance in competition. We are talking about one of the 1966 Honda RC173 350 units, with which Hailwood won the 1966 350 cc World Championship.
A season where Mike “The Bike” won 6 races and beat Giacomo Agostini to win the title. Now that same bike has been painstakingly restored in recent years to bring it back to its original condition. It also has an extensive history and as specified in the auction announcement “It is presented in perfect working order.”
“It is the only existing copy”
That’s at least what the experts at Iconic Auctioneers say: “The fabulous machine on offer here is the factory 350cc Honda RC173 with a Honda 4 engine, which Mike raced during the 1966 World Championship, and It is the only existing copy”. Throughout that season Hailwood would rise to the top of the box in the Grands Prix of West Germany, France, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Finland and Ulster.
Not only that; He would also achieve numerous fastest laps while overtaking Agostini with the MV Agusta and Pasolini with the Benelli, who came in second and third place, respectively. At the end of that year this RC173 was kept by the British driver, and he competed with it in some races in 1967, including those at Mallory Park and Oulton Park.
Later, the motorcycle became part of the Wheatcroft Donington Collection for many years. It was in 1997 when it was finally auctioned by the Hailwood family and handed over to its owner until now. He himself has been in charge of its complete restoration in recent decades, in addition to using it for some international events.
60 years are worth a million euros
From 1966 to the present day, no less than 60 years have passed. During this time the Honda RC173 has undergone a complete rebuild of the chassis and engine (preserving the original serial numbers of both elements). That is why it is now presented in perfect visual and functional condition, showing the same fullness as in those years where asphalt dominated.
In the advertisement they clarify that the motorcycle is complete and that its sale includes “various special tools, an original set of carburetor jets, their original bracket and a more modern version manufactured by Honda at the factory, a perspex display sign used in the Honda Collection Hall and a personalized cover for the bike and windshield.”
That said, seeing the little piece of history that this gem represents, it is understandable that the sales estimates have been set between 750 thousand and 950 thousand pounds. What, translated into euros, we are talking about a final amount that could exceed one million euros. More than one of us already know that we have no option to treasure this icon in our private garage, but if any of you have the necessary financial muscle to try, here we leave you the direct link to the advertisement… Good luck!
