During 2 days (Jan. 7-8) some amazing machines were on the floor of the Las Vegas Bally’s Hotel & Casino for the 5th Annual Bonhams’ Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction. As in all auctions, some of them didn’t meet the reserve, with others largely beating expectations of their vendors.
A 1950 Vincent Series C White Shadow Classic motorcycles from Britain filled the ranks of the top grossing machines at Bonhams’ world-famous motorcycle auction in Las Vegas on Thursday.
The Vincent brand in particular saw two world records achieved for a 1950 Vincent Series C “White” Shadow – one of just 15 produced, which was the most valuable Shadow ever sold at auction when it made $224,250, and a 1949 Vincent Touring Rapide with Blacknell Bullet Sidecar, which became the most valuable post-war Rapide sold at auction when it was bought for $126,500.
A beautifully restored 1936 Brough Superior SS80 with Watsonian Sport Sidecar also achieved a world auction record for a Matchless-engined SS80 when it was sold to a private collector for $115,000. Also selling for the same price, making it too a world auction record for the model, was the 1962 Matchless G50 that helped carry legendary American racer Dick Mann to his championship.
Other British motorcycles that realized impressive results were the 1938 Brough Superior SS100 at $280,000, an ex-Sid Biberman 1950 Vincent Series C Black Shadow at $112,700, a 1950 Vincent Series C Black Shadow barn find at $103,500, a 1955 Vincent Black Prince at $79,350, the ex-Jimmy Guthrie 1961 Francis Beart Norton Manx at $75,900, and a 1956 Ariel Square Four MkII with Watsonian Sidecar at $50,600.
At the opposite, another of McQueen’s bikes, a 1936 Indian Chief (also sold in 1984 as part of his estate) with a certificate of authenticity and the signed bill of sale from the 1984 auction and a 1936 license plate from Carmel, CA didn’t met its reserve price. It was predicted to sell for between $80,000 and $100,000. Also withdrawn from the auction were: a beautiful 1938 Harley-Davidson EL Knucklehead restored to 100 points that got a $80,000 bid when it was expected to sell between $100,000 and $130,000, and a 1929 Indian 101 Scout with a Crocker kit top end.
Bonhams runs a real upscale quaility filled auction. Hell, they’ve been doing it since George Washington was President!
Hard to believe the prices these days. Every time I see a Vincent Shadow I’m reminded how I refused one offered for $900. I kid you not.
The down side of having your hobby becoming a “main stream” fad……… 🙁
In the mid 70’s an action in SF featured more than 6 complete barn-find Vincents (still have the hand-bill around here some place). The first went for $300, The last, a Rapide, went for $900.
I remember that well. Mike McQueen was on one side of me saying:
“Go for it! …I already have a Rapide or I’d buy it.”
On the other side was a young Arlen Ness bidding against me. I bailed. He got it.
At the time i figured there were plenty more of em around so wait for a better deal. A couple of years later Mike offered me his nice, running Rapide, for $5k…. Still too complacent, let that one get away too. Hell, it was just a hobby, right? ….Some people never learn….. 🙂
-nicker-
Nicker,
I feel yor discomfort. I once watched a crane drop 2 Sunbeams into a dumpster.
I was in Vegas for both Bonhams and Mecums auctions. The sale prices Bonhams were publishing included their 15% commission fee which can be misleading as the actual hammer price was 15% less. Mecums published the actual hammer price. Both auctions are very classy events and well run.
Nicker, that was the George Disteel auction – there’s a back story here: http://thevintagent.blogspot.com/2010/12/crazy-george-disteel.html?m=1