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The works Honda RC173 that carried Mike Hailwood to the 1966 350cc World Championship will be offered by Iconic Auctioneers at its Iconic Motorcycle Sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show on Sunday 15 November. Built by Honda specifically for Hailwood’s 350cc campaign, the unique factory race motorcycle is estimated at £750,000 to £950,000.
Hailwood raced the four-cylinder Honda to victories in the West German, French, Dutch, Czech, Finnish and Ulster Grands Prix during the 1966 season, taking numerous fastest laps on his way to the title and finishing ahead of Giacomo Agostini’s MV Agusta and Renzo Pasolini on the Benelli.
Hailwood retained the RC173 at the end of the season and raced it again during 1967 at selected invitation events, including Mallory Park and Oulton Park. It later formed part of the Wheatcroft Donington Collection before being sold at auction by the Hailwood family to its current owner in 1997.
Over the following years, the Honda was returned to running order and appeared at events in the UK. In 2005 it was loaned to the Honda Collection Hall in Motegi, Japan, where Honda carried out a full chassis and engine rebuild. It returned to the UK in June 2006, retaining its original matching engine and frame numbers.
Today, the RC173 is presented in running order and is accompanied by various special tools, its original set of carburettor jets and original stand, together with a later stand made by Honda while the motorcycle was at the factory, a Perspex display sign, bike cover and screen cover.
Hailwood remains one of motorcycle racing’s defining figures. He won 76 Grands Prix and nine World Championships, as well as 14 Isle of Man TT races. After seven years away from motorcycle racing, he famously returned to win the 1978 TT on a Ducati at the age of 38. His achievements also extended to four wheels, including third place at the 1969 Le Mans 24 Hours in a Ford GT40.
Mark Bryan, Motorcycle Manager at Iconic Auctioneers, said: “The provenance of this motorcycle speaks for itself. It was built by Honda for Mike Hailwood, won a World Championship in his hands and has remained closely connected with his story ever since.
“Works racing motorcycles of this importance very rarely come to market. This is a remarkable opportunity to acquire one of the machines that defined not only Hailwood’s career, but motorcycle racing in the 20th Century.”
The Iconic Motorcycle Sale takes place at the NEC Classic Motor Show on Sunday 15 November 2026. Bidders are encouraged to register in advance through the Iconic Auctioneers website. Further details on the Honda RC173 and all motorcycles offered in Iconic Auctioneers’ NEC sales can be found at www.iconicauctioneers.com.
