The 1975 348 Montesa Cota prototype, ridden exclusively by Malcolm Rathmell has today gone on sale on the worldwide auction sute, e-bay with a reserve of £12,500.

With information provided by Tim Britton Media Ltd, details of the historic machine are now online and the reserve of GBP 12,500 has been stated as ‘realistic’ given the bike’s original condition and historic significance in the trials world.

The machine can be viewed online here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/405039824229

Trials Guru’s John Moffat said: “I have known since October 2022 that Malcolm wished to sell on his collection of his former factory trials machinery, he and his wife Rhoda discussed the matter with me in private at the Scott Trial presentation that year. I would say that the reserve is not at all unrealistic given the historic significance of Malcolm’s machines, but I doubt the run-of- the-mill trials enthusiast will fork out that kind of money. It is more likely to go overseas to a private collector or conglomorate of collectors. When you think that Ariel HT5s with no factory history or significance or status are changing hands at that sort of level, a prototype factory bike will no doubt be highly valued by those who have the funds, and disposible income to buy such motorcycles.”