MCQUEEN'S MACHINES

Bikes owned by the king of cool, Steve Mcqueen, are always in demand – as sales in Las Vegas prove. Bonhams sold the late actor’s 1912 Harley-davidson X8E Big Twin for $82,000 (£65,484). Some way short of the pre-sale estimate of $100,000120,000, it was still a reasonable result. The bike, a matching numbers and largely original example in running order was purchased from Mcqueen’s estate in 1984 and came with a certificate of authenticity signed by Terry and Chad Mcqueen. It was last offered for sale at Bonhams’ Las Vegas sale in 2015. Down the road at the South Point Hotel and Casino, more Mcqueen machines were making big bucks. Six bikes formerly belonging to the screen start were being offered and all bar one – a 1934 Harley- Davidson R45 – sold. Top seller was a 1923 Indian Big Chief with Princess sidecar. The outfit (above), restored by Von Dutch in 1969, was presented in rideable condition, made $100,000 (£79,859). A 1917 Henderson Four backed up the Harley nicely, making $85,000 (£67,880). The subject of an earlier restoration when the vendor bought it at the 1984 Mcqueen Estate Sale, the bike since underwent more restoration and is in superb condition.