Well, the two biggest motorcycle auctions of the year came and went this weekend. I wasn’t able to attend the Bonhams auction in person, but thanks to the wonders of the internet, we can still take a look at some of the interesting sales. And yes, you heard correctly – that Chinese Red Vincent White Shadow sold for $434,000 after fees. All in all, Bonhams offered 241 lots and sold over $4.8 million.
If you need a refresher, here’s a preview of the auction that covered my favorite bikes in some detail. All prices below include premiums.
First, more about that ‘White’ Shadow: $434,000 is a record for the Shadow model, good enough for 9th position on The Vintagent’s ever-changing list of Most Expensive Motorcycles.
Click here for a list of the all the bikes, with results. Or, continue on for a summary of my favorite bikes/other interesting results:
1959 Norton Manx Racer – ridden by Buddy Parriot, the first American to score Grand Prix points. Fittingly, it’s coming back to the States after selling for $46,000.
1959 Ducati 175cc ‘Dustbin’ Special – sold for $26,450.
1963 Triumph Bonneville Desert Sled – In my preview I simply said, “Bonnie desert sled painted by Von Dutch, modified by Bud Ekins, and owned by Steve McQueen? Enough said.” Apparently that trifecta of legends added up to $103,500 worth of bike.
1977 MV Agusta 750S America – 41 miles, sold for $120,500.
1984 Moto Martin Honda CBX – sold for $13,225.
1998 Magni Australia – 1 of just 50 built, sold for $25,300.
1948/1970 Egli-Vincent Rapide built to Lightning specs, sold for $69,575.
If you want to know about the top sellers, Bonhams noted the following in a press release:
“The subsequent five positions of the auction also went to the Stevenage, England-made motorcycle with the one-owner-from-new 1955 Vincent Series D Black Prince selling for $164,500; a 1948 Vincent Series B Black Shadow making $150,000; a 1953 Vincent Series C Black Shadow fetching $140,000; a 1951 Vincent Series C Black Shadow selling for $137,000; and a 1954 Vincent Series C Black Shadow achieving $125,000.
Other motorcycles that sold well were the 1977 MV Agusta 750 S America, with just 41 original miles, that made $120,500; a Brough Superior SS80 (fitted with a Matchless engine to SS100 specification) that was bought for $120,500; and the rare early American motorcycle, the 1910 Royal Pioneer, that was sold for $115,000.”
There were plenty of other awesome bikes to peruse, so click here for the full list of results…and start saving up for next year!