Record Breaking Motorcycle Auction
When it comes to collectors and bikes, there are plenty go around and there is also plenty of money to be seen. With the most recent EJ Cole collection auction held in Las Vegas recently, there were many record-breaking deals made for American motorcycles. Previously, British motorcycles had been dominating the auctioning marketplace, but the Americans have now taken the lead.
With so many unique motorcycles to choose from at this last auction, it’s no wonder that American motorcycles took control over their competition. With great collector’s items such as a 1907 Harley-Davidson, 1911 Flying Merkel Board Track Racer, and a 1942 Crocker, it’s no surprise that the prices were steep.
Before this auction, Britain had the lead in the top motorcycle prices ever achieved at auction, both in the top 10, as well as the top 100 and 250 bikes known. Because of the amazing prices achieved at this particular option, America now leads in all three categories.
What were the prices that were reached for all of these items? The top selling item was a 1915 Cyclone Board Track Racer that sold for a whopping $852,000. Close behind, the 1907 Harley-Davidson strap tank sold for $715,000. These two motorcycles achieved the record for the highest price reached at auction in the world for a motorcycle.
The auction house that held this particular event is Mecum Mid America, and they can now claim the records for themselves as they were the ones that hosted the event and raised the money. There were also plenty of other motorcycles that broke records besides the top two. Among them, the OHC V-twin, 1928 Indian Altoona, and the 1912 Henderson Four. All of these helped break records in the top 250 bike prices ever achieved at auction.
The rarest of the rare was to be found at this auction, and buyers certainly got what they came for. A certain group of buyers actually owns 9 of the 13 Cyclone motorcycles that are known to exist. One of the members actually has two of them. This group of collectors have been consistently attending these type of auctions looking for the chance to buy these rare pieces and are all serious collectors.
To get into more details on the top two motorcycles sold, there is a need to understand how they made an impact during their prime. The 1915 Cyclone Board Track Racer, the top seller, is a Swedish bike that has engineering that was way ahead of its time. It has contemporary features that make it stand out, such as a powerful 45-horsepower engine, and combustion chambers that were almost hemispherical.
The second of the top record breakers, the Harley-Davidson strap tank, is known as the “Mona Lisa” of the Harley-Davidson motorcycles. This is due to its incredible rarity and level of desirability. There were only approximately 200 made and many collectors would love to have it because of its rare use of Milwaukee machinery. It also has never been repainted or restored in any way, which only adds to its authenticity.
