Last week, we looked at the results from Bonhams Las Vegas – today let’s look at Mecum’s. The high mark was a 1912 Henderson Four, which sold for $165,000. Over 700 bikes were offered over 3 days, totaling $9,054,965 in sales. They had a 80 percent sell-through rate and the average bike sold for over $17,000…about $5,000 more than last year’s average.
Unlike the Bonham’s auction, I was actually able to visit Mecum’s in person. I took off Thursday night after work and got to enjoy a little bit of sleet after the thermometer in Baker to spice up the boring slab of I-15.
Let’s start with that 1912 Henderson Four. One of the first Fours ever built, this running example looks beautiful and it was last registered in South America in 1937. Mecum suggests that this is one of about six known to exist. This one is well-photographed, so just click the link to drool at the pretty pictures. Again, it sold for $165k – it should be noted that bidding originally stalled around $120-125k, the seller pulled the reserve, and bidding flew up another 40 thousand dollars.
1917 Autoped. Considered to be the first production scooter. Sold for $12,500.
1928 Excelsior ‘Big Bertha’ Hillclimber. After board tracking fell out of favor, hillclimbs took over as the focus of factory race programs. Bidding got up to $115,000 but it did not meet reserve.
1970 Indian Velocette Venom. Sold for $12,000.
2013 Honda CB1100. Built by Cafe Racer Magazine, this is one of the few custom modern CBs I’ve seen (though the tail could really use some clean up. Sold for $6,500.
1958 Triumph Twin Engine. Sold for $23,000. This was very cool. Mecum’s photos made it difficult to see both engines because this the amount of space the engines take up is impressively narrow. So here’s a couple of shots that show off the twin beating hearts a bit better:
1909 Excelsior Single. I thought this was one of the most beautiful bikes at the auction. Sold for $35,000.
2004 MTT Y2K Turbine. Also known as the Jet Bike, this is powered by a Rolls-Royce turboshaft engine that held Guinness World Records for most powerful production motorcycle and most expensive production motorcycle when it was released. Sold for $115,000.
1970 Norton Ala’Verda 850. A beautiful custom built by Daniel Delfour, a French violin-maker, this uses a Laverda trellis frame and a Commando 850 motor. Sold for $21,000.
1959 Triumph TR6 Bobber I thought this was beautiful, but I couldn’t believe what it sold for. If I remember correctly, bidding sort of stalled out around $18k-ish (but don’t quote me on that). Then two guys started one-upping each other and bidding ended at $30,500 – $34,000 including auction fees!
Sinless Cycles brought out 15 amazing bikes and managed to sell 11 of them. My favorite of the sold offerings was this 1968 Egli Vincent that’s all set up for sport-touring. It sold for $43,000.
They also brought a 1933 Grindlay Peerless that somehow didn’t get above $10,000, which I couldn’t believe.
I had the chance to meet several of you there, which was great! Thanks for coming up and saying hi, and I hope to see you again next year. I got to ride home alongside snow-capped mountains, pondering what I’d have to try and pick up next year:
And if you’re looking for another perspective on the happenings at the auctions in Vegas, here’s an excellent profile from Paul D’Orleans on Cycle World!