ULTRA RARE PORCUPINE

                                           ULTRA RARE PORCUPINE

Bonhams’ August sale in Carmel, California, has been selected to sell one of the rarest and most sought-after motorcycles in the world. Only four examples of the 1954 AJS E95, nicknamed ‘Porcupine, were built by British manufacturer AJS and Bonhams anticipates a record bid of more than $750,000.

“As far as motorcycles go, the Porcupine is at the very top,” says Bonhams CEO Malcolm Barber. “It is arguably the most beautiful, graceful and innovative racing motorcycle ever built, the perfect blend of technology and art. Comparisons are impossible but bikes of a similar calibre – rarity, significance and worth – could include a 1915 Cyclone Board Track Racer, 1955 Moto Guzzi V8 or a mid-1960s RC Honda Grand Prix. This AJS is an utterly important machine whose appearance at auction cannot be underscored enough.” The Porcupine, so-named because of the spiked cooling fins on its cylinder head, was built by AJS as a Works racer. This particular example, which has had its engine overhauled by Team Obsolete Equippe, has been on display in the National Motorcycle Museum for more than two decades

The 500cc machines were conceived in the last days of World War II and designed to run supercharged engines. The engine featured horizontal cylinders for optimal cooling and a low center of gravity while leaving room for the blower above the four-speed gearbox.

AJS was neck-deep in development when the grand priX  rulesmakers banned forced induction in 1946. Too much time and money had been invested in the aluminum dual overhead cam twin, so AJS revised the cylinder heads to increase the compression ratio, bolted on a pair of carbs and went racing

Although AJS dubbed the bike the E90, everyone else took one look at the spiky cooling fins on the cylinder heads and called it the Porcupine. It did well at its first race despite a variety of problems, taking ninth and 14th place at the 1947 Isle of Man TT.

Development continued over the years and the Porcupine saw its greatest success in 1949 when Les Graham took first in the inaugural Grand Prix World Championship. It would prove to be the only title AJS and Graham ever won.

The bike was plagued by finicky carburetion and the magneto shafts were forever failing, sending AJS back to the drawing board. The new E95 featured cylinders canted 45 degrees to improve cooling and ease carb installation. It also got a host of internal mods and a revised frame. A pannier-style fuel tank lowered the center of gravity.

The E95 reportedly made 55 horsepower but never enjoyed the championship-winning success of its predecessor. AJS withdrew from grand prix racing at the end of 1954.

Bonham's expects the bike to bring $750,000 when it is auctioned Aug. 18 at Quail Lodge during Pebble Beach Car Week.