A 1925 BMW R37 racer from the MC Collection sold for $220,000 at Mecum. Photos by Robert Smith.
A 1939 Crocker “Big Tank” from the Stockholm, Sweden MC Collection took top price at $704,000 (including premium) at the Mecum Las Vegas motorcycle auctions, Jan. 22-27. Runner-up was another Crocker, this time a “Small Tank” from 1937 at $423,500. Top British bike was an early Brough Superior SS100 Alpine Grand Sport from 1925, which fetched $357,500. Of the top 10 selling bikes at Mecum, four were 4-cylinder machines: a 1912 Henderson Model A at $302,500; a 1913 Pierce at $192,500; 1923 Ace at $176,000; and a 1915 Henderson Model D at $170,500. Top Harley price was $143,000 for a 1928 JDH, and top Indian was a 1905 Camelback at $104,500.
One of two on offer in Las Vegas, this 1968 Münch 4TT Mammut sold for $77,000 at Mecum.
The Crocker Big Tank was part of a consignment of 235 motorcycles from the MC Collection of Stockholm, Sweden. The total sales value of the collection, including premium, was $10.5 million.
Top-priced 4-cylinder bike was Mecum’s 1912 Henderson Model A at $302,000.
Bonhams also held their motorcycle auction in Las Vegas on Jan. 24. Top price was expected for the ex-Hans Stärkle 1949 Vincent Black Lightning race bike, with over $360,000 anticipated. Bidding stalled at $285,000. One of only 67 built, a “never raced” Ducati Supermono fetched $115,000, while a series C Black Shadow sold for $95,450. With the McQueen effect in full force, the King of Cool’s otherwise unremarkable 1938 Triumph Speed Twin sold for $175,500. (An unattributed ’38 Speed Twin also sold — for $9,200.)
Bonhams’ 1974 Münch TTS sold for $112,000.
Both Mecum and Bonhams offered examples of Friedel Münch’s monstrous Mammut motorcycle. Mecum’s 1968 4TT fetched $77,000, while Bonhams’ 1974 TTS-E sold for $112,000. Also offered by both auction houses were examples of Laverda’s SFC750 production racers. The Mecum SFC sold for $88,000, while Bonhams’ was bid up to just $30,000 — perhaps because it was missing its homologation tag. (It was reported to have sold later for $38,000.) Two green-frame Ducati 750 Super Sports were on offer at Mecum: one sold for $90,000, while the other — unrestored and appropriately patinated — made $247,500. Other Ducati and MV Agusta prices were similarly varied: Mike Hailwood Replicas sold from $13,250 to $49,500, and Agusta 750s fetched from $49,500 to $137,500. Seven Guzzi singles were on offer at Mecum, and ranged from $8,250 for a 1955 250 Airone to $82,500 for a 1925 CV2 racer. A rare 1931 Sport 15 sold for $55,000.
Hammer falls on the ex-McQueen 1938 Triumph Speed Twin at Bonhams for $155,000.
Two of Dan Smith’s hand-crafted motorcycles — both previously featured in Motorcycle Classics — went under the hammer at Mecum. The 1936 500cc AJS V-4 sold for $85,250 while the 1939 Velocette Roarer was unsold at $70,000.
This 1931 500cc Moto Guzzi Sport 15 fetched $55,000 at Mecum.
A landmark price was achieved for one of Honda’s iconic road/race bikes, with a “zero miles” 1990 RC30/VFR750R selling at $100,000. Bargain hunters picked up a 1983 Laverda RGS for $4,400 and a 1975 Moto Morini 3-1/2 Sport for just $3,300.
Top seller in Las Vegas at $704,000 was a 1939 Crocker “Big Tank” from the MC Collection.
