Mecum Auctions added to the momentum from its record-setting $234 million in sales at the recent Mecum Kissimmee 2023 auction with an additional $24 million in sales and a 90% sell-through rate achieved at the Mecum Las Vegas Motorcycles 2023 auction, held Jan. 24-28. Together, the two events culminated in a grand total of $258 million in overall sales for the month of January, making it Mecum Auctions’ highest-grossing month in its 35-year history.
The top-selling motorcycle at the 32nd Annual Vintage and Antique Motorcycle Auction was a 1908 Harley-Davidson Strap Tank that was found in 1941 in a Wisconsin barn as a complete motorcycle and was then expertly restored by Paul Freehill. The bike sold for $935,000 and became the most valuable motorcycle ever sold at auction. The Strap Tank is among the oldest surviving models of this extremely rare breed and is one of only 450 motorcycles produced by Harley-Davidson in 1908.
Strong sales results were also achieved by the headlining motorcycles from the Jim’s Forever Collection of 105 lots, which brought an aggregate of more than $1.4 million, and Mike Wolfe’s As Found Collection of 63 motorcycles, which brought more than $1.96 million overall. The top-selling unit from the Jim’s Forever assemblage was a 1972 Harley-Davidson Jim’s Knucklehead Custom Chopper (above) that was built to honor the 50th anniversary of Jim’s Harley-Davidson dealership and sold for $55,000.
Mike Wolfe’s As Found Collection, consigned by the host of “American Pickers,” aided in the record attendance at Mecum Las Vegas Motorcycles 2023, with Wolfe’s high-quality selection of motorcycles working to draw in additional fans and followers. The nearly $2 million in sales achieved by Wolfe’s collection was led by a $132,000 sale of a 1936 Harley-Davidson EL Knucklehead—a period-correct and highly original bike that had been ridden by Wolfe for the last few years. The Knucklehead was followed by a 1941 Indian Four (above) that was a barn find from the western Nebraska/Colorado border, which fetched $115,500.
The complete top 10 motorcycle sales at Mecum Las Vegas 2023 include:
- 1908 Harley-Davidson Strap Tank at $935,000
- 1938 Vincent HRD Series A Twin at $330,000
- 1925 BMW R32 at $220,000
- 1925 BMW R37 at $220,000
- 1927 Indian Ace Four at $214,500
- 1922 Ace Sporting Solo at $198,000
- 1938 Zundapp K800 with Sidecar at $187,000
- 1914 Henderson C Model at $176,000
- 1916 Henderson 4 Cylinder at $165,000
- 1931 Indian 402 at $159,500
Up next for Mecum is the Glendale 2023 auction at State Farm Stadium in Arizona and will take place this March 28-April 1 featuring an estimated 2,000 collector cars and approximately 100 vintage and antique motorcycles. More information can be found HERE.
