We already told you about it very recently. Two of the jewels of Joey Dunlop They could end up in someone’s garage. And so it has been. Finally, the 2 brutal Honda VFR750R RC30 and Honda RVF750 RC45 have just changed hands at the auction held by Bonhams on October 12, reaching a combined figure of about 263,000 euros. Without a doubt, a new scandal peak.
Obviously, these two machines are not simple competition motorcycles: they are authentic pieces of Isle of Man Tourist Trophy history and, furthermore, piloted by one of the greatest myths of “the most dangerous race in the world“In fact, both were protagonists of some of the most memorable deeds of Dunlopand its sale marks one of the most notable milestones in the historic competition motorcycle market.
This is how Joey Dunlop’s two Hondas that were auctioned fared
The Honda VFR750R RC30sold for 132,250 pounds (about 155,000 euros), was, without a doubt, the crown jewel of the auction. With this motorcycle, Joey Dunlop He won no less than 2 of the 1988 Isle of Man races, both victories that consolidated his legend and the dominance of Sling in the most demanding categories of the moment.
As we all know, the RC30In addition to being a “unicorn”, it was a machine ahead of its time: a 748 cc V4 with gear distribution, aluminum chassis and a precision that made it a reference both on the road and on the track.
Dunlopalways faithful to his sober but relentless style, took the motorcycle to the limit, setting an absolute lap record with an average speed of 190.75 km/h, an almost unthinkable feat for the late 1980s.
The second protagonist of the auction, the Honda RVF750 RC45reached a price of 92,000 pounds (about 108,000 euros). This is an authentic official HRC (Honda Racing Corporation) motorcycle, with a factory engine and chassis, unsealed, an absolute rarity outside the official team environment.
This RC45 It was one of the last motorcycles that Dunlop He drove in competition. With it he achieved victory in the 1999 Ulster Grand Prix, showing that, even at 47 years old, he was still a fearsome opponent.
His tragic death on July 2, 2000, during a race in Tallinn (Estonia), left an immense void in motorcycling, but his figure remains alive in the hearts of fans, as we have just seen in this auction.
