2018 Mecum Vintage and Antique Motorcycle Auction Wrangles $13.9M in Sales

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The Mecum’s 27th annual Las Vegas Vintage and Antique Motorcycle Auction brought in an impressive, record-setting $13.9 million, accompanying a 91% sell-through rate. Many vintage bikes, mostly American-made, found themselves on the top-10 list of highest grossing motorcycles on the auction block, fetching prices well north of the six-figure mark. These are only reports from the Mecum auction; the Bonhams auction took place last week as well in Las Vegas and brought in equally impressive numbers, witnessing a 1951 Vincent Black Lightning go for nearly one million dollars.

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WALWORTH, WI – January 31, 2018 – Overall sales totals reached a record-setting $13.9 million at Mecum’s 27th annual Las Vegas Vintage and Antique Motorcycle Auction, again demonstrating its massive appeal and ability to grow year after year. As the world’s largest such event, the auction presented an extraordinary lineup of 1,324 motorcycles, of which 1,207 successfully changed hands Jan. 23-27 for an exceptional sell-through rate of 91 percent. These totals, together with those achieved at the world’s largest collector-car auction held in Kissimmee, Florida, Jan. 5-14, made January 2018 Mecum’s most successful month in company history.

1911 Harley-Davidson Twin (Lot F133) at $154,000

Sales were topped by an incredibly rare and comprehensively restored 1911 Harley-Davidson Twin (Lot F133) that brought $154,000, followed closely by a 1917 Henderson Four (Lot F191) previously owned by Steve McQueen that sold for $110,000. Other six-figure sales included a 1968 Vincent Shadow Recreation (Lot F156.1) and a 1941 Indian Four Cylinder (Lot S141). Not only was the top 10 list mostly dominated by American-built motorcycles, the segment as a whole once again demonstrated its enduring appeal with most American-built offerings selling for especially impressive sums. Both pre- and postwar Harley-Davidsons showed a marked increase in value evidenced by sales like that of the 1945 Harley-Davidson EL (Lot S55) that brought $99,000 and landed among the auction’s top sales. Vintage off-road motorcycles also brought stronger selling prices than ever before, and prices for vintage Japanese motorcycles, including 1980s sport bikes, demonstrated that they are on the rise as well.

1917 Henderson Four Steve McQueen (Lot F191) at $110,000

“The sold percentage of more than 90 percent reached at this year’s Mecum Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction shows that the collector-motorcycle market is thriving,” commented Ron Christenson of Mecum’s motorcycle division. “The auction has more than doubled in size since 2014, both in the amount offered and in the sales totals achieved, further solidifying Mecum as the largest vintage motorcycle auction company in the world.”

1968 Vincent Shadow Recreation (Lot F156.1) at $107,250

The complete top 10 sales at the Mecum Las Vegas 2018 auction include:

  • 1911 Harley-Davidson Twin (Lot F133) at $154,000
  • 1917 Henderson Four Steve McQueen (Lot F191) at $110,000
  • 1968 Vincent Shadow Recreation (Lot F156.1) at $107,250
  • 1941 Indian Four (Lot S141) at $101,750
  • 1945 Harley-Davidson EL (Lot S55) at $99,000
  • 1928 Indian Four (Lot S108) at $99,000
  • 1917 Harley-Davidson J (Lot S203) at $95,700
  • 1914 Henderson (Lot F240.1) at $93,500
  • 1911 Flying Merkel V-Twin (Lot F143) at $91,300
  • 1912 Indian Twin (Lot S157) at $82,500
1941 Indian Four (Lot S141) at $101,750

For access to complete auction results, sign up for the free InfoNet service offered at Mecum.com. Mecum’s next auction is Los Angeles 2018 this Feb. 16-17 in Pomona, California, with 600 classic and collector cars slated to cross the block. The next vintage and antique motorcycle auction will be this June 1-2 with Mecum’s return to South Point Hotel and Casino with 600 motorcycles. For more details on upcoming auctions, to consign a vehicle or to register as a bidder, visit Mecum.com, or call (262) 275-5050 for more information.

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