This week Las Vegas is the place to be for motorcycle auctions. These auctions will feature historic and celebrity-owned motorcycles from the 19th and 20th centuries. Both events run Jan. 12 – 14 and both feature the auction of motorcycles owned by actor Steve McQueen.
At the South Point Hotel & Casino on Las Vegas Strip, MidAmerica Auctions will hold the 21st Annual Las Vegas Antique Motorcycle Auction featuring guest of honor Barbara McQueen.
To get your piece of History there will be three motorcycles owned by McQueen up for auction at the South Point. They are:
- A 1938 Triumph Speed Twin. This 1938 Triumph Speed Twin was restored for Steve McQueen by his longtime friend and racing buddy Bud Ekins at Ekin’s shop in North Hollywood, California. Ekin’s shop sticker is still displayed on the motorcycle.
- A 1940 Indian Four Cylinder. This Indian Four was purchased at the November 1984 Steve McQueen estate auction at the Imperial Palace.
- A 1971 Husqvarna 400 Cross. Steve McQueen rode this motorcycle for a cover photo of the Aug. 23, 1971 issue of Sports Illustrated.
In addition to the three motorcycles, there is also a 1970 Bell helmet that was owned by McQueen and personal effects including furniture, trophies and more that will be up for auction.
While the three McQueen motorcycles may be the star attraction, there are more than 500 motorcycles and cars being auctioned at the event.
Go to MidAmerica for more details
The schedule for the 21st Annual Las Vegas Antique Motorcycle Auction includes:
- Thursday, Jan. 12, 5 p.m.: Children’s Hospital Benefit Dinner Auction featuring Barbara McQueen as guest of honor.
- Thursday, Jan. 12, 6 to 10 p.m.: Auction of 75 premium vintage and collectible motorcycles.
- Friday, Jan. 13, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Auction of 200 vintage and collectible motorcycles.
- Friday, Jan. 13, 7 p.m.: Champion Indoor Short Flat Track Series.
- Saturday, Jan. 14, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Auction of 225 vintage and collectible motorcycles.
- Saturday, Jan. 14, 7:30 p.m. Championship Indoor Short Track Flat Track Series.
21st Annual Las Vegas Antique Motorcycle Auction
South Point Hotel and Casino
Tickets on sale at the door
Single day pass: $15
3-day pass: $30
Dinner event tickets sold separately.
Just 10 miles away at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, Auctions America by RM will be holding the Las Vegas Premier Motorcycle Auction, also Jan. 12 – 14.
They will be auctioning off a collection of vintage bikes. Some very rare and desirable
Featured lots among the 450 vehicles will be two vehicles owned by Steve McQueen:
- A liquid-cooled two-cylinder 1929 Scott Squirrel restored in the 1970s by custom paint guru Kenny Howard (aka “Von Dutch”).
- A 1938 Harley-Davidson WLD. This is an all-original Solo model with only 21,100 miles on the odometer that the estate sold after McQueen’s death.
The auction will also feature selections from eight motorcycle collections (Tony Parella Collection, Cary Stanley collection, David Karas Consultants, Art Littlejohn Collection, Chris Solan Collection, Christiansen Collection and more) among its 450 lots. Noted motorcycles include:
- A 1894 Roper Steam Motorcycle, one of the world’s oldest motorcycles. This motorcycle may set a world record for a motorcycle sold at auction.
- A historic 1902 Whitley “The Whitley of Coventry” motorcycle built by Whitley of Cow Lane, Coventry, West Midlands, England. Boasting its original paint, this motorcycle is believed to be the only one of its kind in existence today.
- A 1926 Cleveland Fowler. One of 100 motorcycles built in the 600cc four-cylinder, four-stroke engine format designed by F.E. Fowler, this Cleveland is believed to be the sole complete example remaining today. It was owned by late racer and stuntman Bud Ekins – who performed the famed motorcycle jump sequence for Steve McQueen in the film “The Great Escape.” The motorcycle was later a part of the esteemed Otis Chandler Collection in California before going to a private collector.
- 1899 De Dion-Bouton Three-Wheeler brought to the U.S. in the 1920s by Vincent Bendix, who was interested in studying its innovative front brake.
More details: http://www.auctionsamerica.com/
Schedule of events at the Las Vegas Premier Motorcycle Auction include:
- Thursday, Jan. 12, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.: Preview.
- Thursday, Jan. 12, 6 p.m.: Dinner
- Thursday, Jan. 12, 6 – 9 p.m.: Auction.
- Friday, Jan. 13, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.: Preview.
- Friday, Jan. 13, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.: Auction.
- Saturday, Jan. 14, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.: Preview.
- Saturday, Jan. 14, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.: Display and auction.
Las Vegas Premier Motorcycle Auction
Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino
Tickets are on sale at the door.
Full event pass: $50
Single day pass: $20
Dinner event tickets sold separately.
