Auction Catalog - Auctions America

ACOTTON MOTORCYCLESCotton Motorcycle HistoryAA19AThe Cotton Motorcycle Company was a British manufacturer founded by Frank Willoughby Cotton in 1918. Also a trained lawyer, he remainedat the company’s helm until his retirement in 1953. At that time, the company was restructured as E. Cotton (Motorcycles) Ltd, and remained inbusiness until its closure in 1980.Utilizing experience gained in hill climbs and trials, a “triangulated” frame design was patented and this became a feature on Cotton motorcyclesuntil World War II. Cotton’s first motorcycle was built in 1920. Soon after, this brand was the bike to own and ride due to success that had come inmultiple victories at the famous Isle of Man Tourist Trophy.An extensive line of motorcycles was developed over the years. Despite competitive racing bikes and a range of road, trials and scramblermodels, the loss of engine supplier Villiers was compounded by the influx and popularity of the mass-produced Japanese bikes of the 1970s.The reputation earned through superb road holding and racing was not enough to keep the doors open, and the company closed in 1980.1928 COTTONOVERHEAD VALVE BLACKBURNEstimate: $9,000 - $12,0001937 COTTON JAPEstimate: $10,000 - $14,0001961 COTTON CONTINENTALEstimate: $3,500 - $4,5001966 COTTON COUGAR(Restored) Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000COTTON CONQUESTEstimate: $4,000 - $5,0001966 COTTON COUGAREstimate: $3,000 - $4,000COTTON TELSTAREstimate: $3,500 - $4,500COTTON TRIALSEstimate: $3,000 - $4,000