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Mecum motorcycle auction rallies to record $9M in sales

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf

 

Lot S74, a 1912 Henderson Four, sold for $165,000 (hammer price). Mecum Auctions image
Lot S74, a 1912 Henderson Four, sold for $165,000 (hammer price). Mecum Auctions image

 

WALWORTH, Wis. – Celebrating its quarter-century anniversary, the annual Mecum MidAmerica Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction achieved an astounding $9,054,965 in total sales and an 80-percent sell-through rate. In all, 516 motorcycles hammered sold of the 646 offered Jan. 7-9.

The auction’s overall total increased more than $1.5 million above 2015 with this year’s average motorcycle sale reaching more than $17,000, a near-$5,000 increase over last year’s average.

The energy and large crowds translated to strong sales and bidders had a wide array of interests, though certain themes did stand out. “The British marques again showed their strength achieving an overall sell-through rate of more than 90 percent,” said Ron Christenson, president of Mecum’s MidAmerica Motorcycle Division. “The sixth top sale of the auction was a 1956 BSA Gold Star (Lot S175) – the factory cut-away display model for the introduction of the new Clubman model –which sold for $110,000.”

Christenson added that the early American motorcycle market proved its continued popularity with collectors searching out that special low-production motorcycle to add to their collection. Great examples include the 1912 Henderson Four (Lot S74) that claimed the title as the auction’s top seller at $165,000. Additionally, a 1914 Flanders Model D Twin (Lot S113.1) hammered at $90,000, and a 1906 Armac Single (Lot F98) changed hands for $52,000. The tried-and-true Harley-Davidson held its own as well with an original 1939 Harley Davidson EL Knucklehead (Lot S65) bringing $90,000. Among modern-day classic motorcycles available at the Vegas auction, a 2004 MTT Y2K (Lot S148) powered by a Rolls-Royce Turbine engine brought $115,000 sale price landing the fifth seat in top sales.

 

The lineup of bikes at the annual Mecum MidAmerica Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction. Mecum Auctions image
The lineup of bikes at the annual Mecum MidAmerica Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction. Mecum Auctions image

 

The complete top 10 sales list from the Las Vegas auction includes (all individual sales reflect hammer prices):

  1. 1912 Henderson Four (Lot S74) at $165,000
  2. 1946 Vincent Rapide Prototype (Lot S160) at $152,500
  3. 1955 Vincent Black Prince (Lot S174) at $120,000
  4. 1929 Cleveland Tornado Four Cylinder (Lot F141) at $115,000
  5. 2004 MTT Y2K Turbine (Lot S148) at $115,000
  6. 1956 BSA Gold Star Clubman Cutaway (Lot S175) at $110,000
  7. 1912 Pierce Four (Lot F142) at $90,000
  8. 1939 Harley-Davidson EL Knucklehead (Lot S65) at $90,000
  9. 1952 Vincent Black Shadow (Lot F119) at $90,000
  10. 1914 Flanders Model D Twin (Lot S113.1) at $90,000

LiveAuctioneers.com facilitated absentee and Internet live bidding.

 

motorcycle auctionClick here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.