McQueen’s Husky

Steals the show

Aust$325,937 for an old dirt bike? That’s the staggering figure obtained at Bonham’s Alabama auction on October 7th for the 1970 Husqvarna 400 Cross owned by the late actor Steve McQueen and ridden by him in the iconic movie On Any Sunday. Even McQueen’s Bell 500RT helmet went for an eye-watering Aust$30,932. This was the first Bonham’s auction held in conjunction with the Barber Motorsports Museum in Birmingham, Alabama, with total sales reaching nearly US$1.5 million. Other stars included the rare German 1928 Windhoff Four that achieved a new world record for the marque when it sold for US$230,500, and the original 1974 Ducati 750 SS that sailed past its estimate to make US$137,000. Other collectors’ motorcycles that performed strongly included a 1936 Brough Superior SS80 that sold for US$115,000 and a 1989 Honda RC30 sold for US$27,025. A ‘sand cast’ 1969 Honda CB750 brought US$36,800. Amongst the automobilia, Mike Hailwood’s racing leathers from the 1971 Daytona 200 (Aust $23,862) and early pudding basin helmet (Aust $5,302) were standouts. In contrast, a collection of racing vests and leather gloves worn by Irish legend Stanley Woods was knocked down for a bargain US$525.00. For complete results, visit Bonhams.com/Barber. To learn more about upcoming Bonhams’ motoring sales around the world, go to Bonhams.com/Motoring.

FROM LEFT The Steve McQueen Husky; 1974 Ducati 750SS with 16,700 km from new; Mike Hailwood’s Cromwell helmet from his teenage racing days; The Bates leathers worn by Mike Hailwood at Daytona in 1971.