Mecum Auctions first foray into the Nevada spring for a vintage motorcycle auction in Las Vegas was a pronounced success with 339 motorcycles hammering sold June 2-3 for an 80-percent sell-through rate and $4.4 million in overall sales.
Highlighted by the $95,000 sale of a gorgeously restored 1950 Vincent Black Shadow (Lot F125), top sales at the auction were strong and showed off the great variety of marques available. Amidst that diverse assortment, Indians nevertheless demonstrated their enduring desirability with five of the top 10 bearing that venerable name. While not necessarily among the top-priced motorcycles at the auction, Harley-Davidsons, Hondas and Triumphs were among the most popular marques to cross the auction block with an impressively large selection of each on hand.
“Once again, Las Vegas proves itself as the premier vintage-motorcycle enthusiast gathering place,” said Ron Christenson, president of the Mecum motorcycle division. “We began this three-day event Thursday evening with three champion motorcycle racers, Don Castro, Gene Romero and Jay Springsteen, taking stage and retelling tales of their days of competing against each other. When the bikes took stage Friday and Saturday, there was no disenchantment as we achieved more than $4 million in sales. All I heard from sellers and buyers alike was: ‘See you in January and June every year.’ It’s very exciting!”
The complete top 10 sales at the Mecum Las Vegas June 2017 auction include (individual prices do not include buyer’s premiums):
1. 1950 Vincent Black Shadow (Lot F125) at $95,000
2. 1951 Vincent Rapide (Lot F126) at $85,000
3. 1920 Henderson Ace Four (Lot S139) at $85,000
4. 1932 Indian Chief (Lot F133) at $77,000
5. 1914 Indian 8 Valve Racer (Lot F138) at $67,500
6. 1913 Indian 8 Valve Racer (Lot F158) at $67,500
7. 1906 Indian Racer (Lot F139) at $62,500
8. 1931 Indian Four (Lot S120) at $61,000
9. 1929 BMW R62 (Lot F127) at $60,000
10. 1913 Pope Single (Lot S138) at $51,000
Mecum’s next motorcycle offering will be this Aug. 16-19 at The Daytime Auction in Monterey, California, featuring 50 select vintage and antique machines including some rare and desirable early Indians. The auction house will return to Las Vegas Nov. 16-18 for its first collector-car auction in the City of Lights featuring an anticipated 1,000 classic and collector cars. The company’s next motorcycle-exclusive auction will be the world’s largest at South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Jan. 24-27, 2018. For more details on other upcoming auctions, to consign a vehicle or to register as a bidder, visit www.mecum.com or call (262) 275-5050.
