Biking exotica auctioned
Bonhams sale includes special Vincent and Ducati Supermono
The massive Las Vegas motorcycle auction is just around the corner and this year 128 stunning bits of motorcycle history are up for grabs. The whole list is far too long to go through but includes a couple of Steve McQueen’s old bikes, including a Triumph 5T restored by his mate and Great Escape jumper Bud Ekins, an original and unrestored 1916 HarleyDavidson Model 16F and the star of the show; a 1949 Vincent Black Lightning.
The model on sale is one of the finest in existence, having been fully restored in 2005 and is one of the most important, too as it’s the first production model made after the original was shown at the Earl’s Court Motorcycle Show in 1948. . Bonhams sold another Black Lightning this time last year, which currently holds the record for the most expensive bike sold at an auction. That sold for $929,000 (approx. £740,000), including the auctioneers premium.
The famous auctioneers have an estimate of £320,000, but Lightning strikes twice and see it sell for a lot more than that. If incredibly old race bikes aren’t your thing, then what about slightly newer, redder ones? Joining the Vincent in Las Vegas is a super-rare 1993 Ducati Supermono, the legendary, lightweight, racing single with a frame designed by current Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali and styled by Pierre Terblanche.
The bike had a dummy conrod
‘Duke thumper is a carbon fibre work of art’
that acted like a second piston to do the job of balancing out the vibrations from the highly strung, 500cc thumper and is also a carbon fibre work of art, with a TT victory to its name as well as acting as the inspiration for the iconic 916 that came out just one year later. Only 65 were ever made and Bonhams think this one will go home with someone for around £100,000. It makes the two Desmosedicis in the sale look a bit average.
On the off-chance you’ve just struck lucky on the Euromillions, visit www.bonhams.com for more information on how to bid.