Auction: Valuable bikes for fans on offer
EDLES ON TWO WHEELS In terms of its name, Monterey Car Week in mid-August should actually be reserved for four-wheeled vehicles. But in addition to particularly valuable automobiles, motorcycles are also auctioned off. According to insiders, the top seller on the value scale is likely to be a 1938 Vincent HRD Series A Twin (bottom left in the gallery), which [...]
Topping the value scale, according to insiders, is likely to be a 1938 Vincent HRD Series A Twin (bottom left in the gallery), estimated by auction house Mecum to be worth between $400,000 and $500,000.
Howard R. Davies, who founded the company in 1928 in Great Britain together with Philip C. Vincent, was the only person to win a race in the 500 cc class on the Isle of Man in 1921 with a 350cc machine.
Brough Superior Mark 1 and Vincent Black Shadow
Second place will probably be taken by a Brough Superior Mark 1 from 1922 (center gallery). The extremely rare motorcycle is one of two known surviving and earliest two-wheelers built by George Brough. The restored model is estimated to be worth between $275,000 and $350,000.
31 years younger is the 1953 Vincent Black Shadow (gallery at right), which will go under the hammer during Monterey Car Week also at Mecum Auctions on August 13, 2021, under lot number F14 with an official estimate of $150,000 to $175,000 after all.
Between 1948 and 1973, it was considered the fastest motorcycle in the world. According to Mecum, the machine, restored from the ground up, remained true to the original down to the smallest detail.
Vélosolex from 1970 by Steve McQueen
Six motorcycles that could all fetch a top price of $100,000 each are the 1902 Norton Energette, a 1903 Mitchell, the 1917 Henderson 4-Cylinder Racer, the 1915 Harley-Davidson Model 11F, a 1924 Harley-Davidson JDCA/B and a 1968 Husqvarna Viking 360.
Bringing up the rear is a Vélosolex from 1970, which Steve McQueen rode around on during the filming of his movie "Le Mans. Its 50 cc engine supported the pedal power of the rider - similar to today's pedelecs.
Of course, anyone willing to bid up to $50,000 for the Solex has to be a real hard-core fan of the actor.
