One of the most iconic custom motorcycles ever built has found a new owner. Allen Millyard’s extraordinary Viper V10 sold at Bonhams’ Summer Stafford Sale today for £130,000, ending decades of speculation about what the legendary build might fetch if it ever came to market.
The hand-built machine never left Millyard’s hands until now. It appeared at shows and featured in videos over the years, but the hammer falling today marks the first time the bike was offered to the public.
A V10 Like No Other
The Viper V10 is powered by an 8.0-litre Dodge Viper engine producing around 500 horsepower. This isn’t some theoretical exercise in motorcycle building. Millyard engineered every detail to make the massive powerplant work on two wheels, a feat that defined his reputation as one of the world’s most celebrated motorcycle constructors.
The bike holds a Guinness World Record for Fastest Tandem Motorcycle. In May 2023, Millyard and ‘The Motorbike Show’ presenter Henry Cole completed an officially timed run of 183.5mph at Elvington Airfield in North Yorkshire, beating the previous record by nearly five mph.
Making Room for What’s Next
Millyard was clear about his reasoning. “I’ve decided to offer my 8000cc Millyard Viper V10 up for sale at the next H&H auction at the National Motorcycle Museum UK,” he said. “This has been a very difficult decision for me to make, but it will make way for new projects ahead.”
The auction at the National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull attracted several high-profile machines. Custom motorcycle builds have become increasingly coveted at auction. Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle United-themed Harley-Davidson sold for £30,500 the same day, and Paul Weller’s special ‘Stanley Road’ Lambretta LI150 also crossed the block.
Source: Visor Down
