Over 1,400 Bikes For Sale
The bikes offered for sale at the two auctions ran the entire gamut of motorcycle history from the sublime to the ridiculous.
Having said that, ridiculous is a subjective term, one mans pride and joy is junk to another.
With that many bikes to look at we decided to add an extra day to our normal trip.
We left on Wednesday around 11:00 AM and returned home on Sunday having "NOT" bought a motorcycle.
This was the pre-auction inspection are of the Mecum venue with over 1,000 bikes to view.
Of course I took a look at the two Panthers they had on display.
The 250 twin shown above is known in Panther speak as a lightweight.
This bike sold for $5,500 plus a buyers premium of 10%.
This 1948 600 cc single model was not allowed to be sold and was orange tagged with what was described as a title issue.
Over at the Bonhams auction, they had what they thought would be the star of the two events.
A 1936 Crocker Hemi Head which the estimated at $500,000 to $600,000.
However it reached $365,000 and did not sell.
This poor Vincent also at Bonhams had been vandalized with metal flake paint and a gold seat!
It was listed with an estimate of $80,000 to $100,000 but did not sell.
Back over at the Mecum auction they had the highest price for a bike between both sales.
This 1912 Henderson Four sold for $490,000, it came complete with the two stands!
Why so much money?
This one is totally original, this is the paint from the factory and the stock oil leaks.
After the sale, we were walking past this bike and there was a guy on his hands and knees measuring the spokes with a Vernier caliper. I thought, it's a bit late to be verifying details like that when someone has already shelled out the $490,000 for it.
As you know my main ride is now a trike, so thinking of where I would go next for a change in pace, I looked around some of the more unusual lots.
This one popped up.
It was bid up to $11,500 but failed to meet the reserve.
How about a Harley tool box filled with Snap-On tools all still in the original wrapping?
Sold for $29,500, these ones would be for looking at while the Harbor Freight tools were used.
We had perfect weather for the drive both ways. It was very clear but cold in Las Vegas and I mean Butt Cold.
