Steve McQueen is revered by gearheads as an enthusiastic owner and driver of all sorts of cars, from a brown '63 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso to a teal '58 GMC pickup and everything in between. But the King of Cool was equally into motorcycles, and rode them regularly.
Arguably one of the most recognizable was his Husqvarna 400 dirt bike. It was on this Swedish gem that he was photographed for the cover of Sports Illustrated (pictured at right). The bike was sold in 1984 and subsequently changed hands a couple of times, but has throughout remained in the condition in which McQueen last rode it – right down to the spare spark plug he taped to the frame.
Now the '71 Husky is crossing the auction block once again as part of Bonhams' enormous motorcycle and memorabilia auction at the Quail Lodge in Carmel, California, on May 14. Alongside it will be an endless array of McQueen artifacts, including his race trophies won on both two wheels and four. Joining the McQueen items are such notable consignments as a pair of custom Harleys built for Otis Chandler and owned by the Guggenheim Foundation, as well as a pair of classic Norton racers. Follow the jump for a pair of press releases and check out the images in the gallery below for more.
Arguably one of the most recognizable was his Husqvarna 400 dirt bike. It was on this Swedish gem that he was photographed for the cover of Sports Illustrated (pictured at right). The bike was sold in 1984 and subsequently changed hands a couple of times, but has throughout remained in the condition in which McQueen last rode it – right down to the spare spark plug he taped to the frame.
Now the '71 Husky is crossing the auction block once again as part of Bonhams' enormous motorcycle and memorabilia auction at the Quail Lodge in Carmel, California, on May 14. Alongside it will be an endless array of McQueen artifacts, including his race trophies won on both two wheels and four. Joining the McQueen items are such notable consignments as a pair of custom Harleys built for Otis Chandler and owned by the Guggenheim Foundation, as well as a pair of classic Norton racers. Follow the jump for a pair of press releases and check out the images in the gallery below for more.
[Source: Bonhams]
18 April 2011
STEVE MCQUEEN COLLECTION OF RACING TROPHIES TO BE AUCTIONED
King of Cool's motorcar and motorbike awards will be sold without reserve.
San Francisco – In addition to Steve McQueen's well-documented 1971 Husqvarna 400 motorcycle, Bonhams will be auctioning the iconic actor's collection of racing trophies in Carmel, California, on May 14th.
Consisting of awards from McQueen's long history of both motorcar and motorcycle racing, the nearly two-dozen pieces in the collection will be sold individually and with no reserve. Spanning a period from the late 1950s to the mid-70s, this amazing collection includes some of the following trophies:
1959 Santa Barbara Road Races, 3rd Place – McQueen's first big race, driving a Lotus XI
1969 IDRA 4x4 Ascot Park, 1st Place
1961 RRMC Hare Scramble, 2nd Place
1964 RRMC "Long Distance Champion"
1964 District 37 Championship Hare Scrambles, 2nd Place
1971 ACE, 3rd place
In addition to these and many other awards, a complete collection of 19 unpublished photographs of McQueen at the Ascot Park races will be offered, as well as race programs, a wooden trunk used by McQueen to haul his personal effects, and even the original Solar Productions patent for the plastic safety seat designed by McQueen, called the "Baja Bucket."
Bonhams has continuously been the representative for Steve McQueen-related items sold at auction, beginning with the widely publicized and record-breaking 2006 "Steve McQueen Sale" in Los Angeles. With a trusted history in this market, not to mention the enduring appeal of one of Hollywood's most beloved leading men, this sale is sure to generate global interest.
The Bonhams sale of "Collectors' Motorcycles and Related Memorabilia" will take place on Saturday, May 14th at the Quail Lodge in Carmel Valley, California. To order a catalog and register to bid as a buyer – remotely or in person, please call 415-391-4000 or e-mail HYPERLINK "mailto:usacars@bonhams.com" usacars@bonhams.com. For more information about the sale online, please visit bonhams.com/quailbikes.
26 January 2011
STEVE MCQUEEN HUSQVARNA MOTORCYCLE TO HEADLINE MAY SALE AT QUAIL LODGE
Call for consignments announced for third annual motorcycle auction.
San Francisco, Calif. – Following Bonhams' highly successful inaugural motorcycle sale in Las Vegas earlier this month – where approximately 200 motorcycles brought buyers and sellers together from around the world for a sales total exceeding $2.5 million, the world's leading auctioneers of motor vehicles is proud to announce its third annual auction at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering.
Hosted on May 14th at Quail Lodge in Carmel, California, Bonhams' sale of "Exceptional Motorcycles & Related Memorabilia" will include what is understood to possibly be the very motorcycle featured on the front cover of the August 1971 issue of Sports Illustrated being ridden by none other than "The King of Cool," Steve McQueen.
The 1971 Husqvarna 400 was originally purchased from the Steve McQueen Estate Sale in 1984 at Harrah's Auto Collection in Las Vegas, the very locale where Bonhams' recent motorbike sale was conducted. In addition to its title of former owner, authentic documentation and immortal association, the Swedish-made dirt bike – which son Chad McQueen reportedly said was his father's favorite off-road brand – will be accompanied by a wooden trunk of accessories as owned by McQueen (to be sold separately). Other McQueen ephemera will be offered at the sale including numerous racing trophies won by this legend of the silver screen.
A call for consignments is being issued for the upcoming May auction where sellers can expect interest from clientele from around the globe.
Last year's sale at Quail Lodge saw a rare 1910 Royal Pioneer Single sell for $92,000, the only known surviving 1914 Flanders Model D Twin – formerly owned by L.A. newspaper scion Otis Chandler – go for $78,200, and a pristinely restored 1913 Flying Merkel Single Board Track Racer sell for $64,975, to name just a few. Additionally, bikes of pedigree were on offer, including the ex-Rody Rodenberg factory-modified 1940 Triumph T100 Tiger Competition and a 1972 Harley-Davidson XR 750 TT, famous as the model that legend Cal Rayborn used to vanquish many a competitor.
Sellers interested in consigning a motorcycle to this mid-May auction can call 415-391-4000 or e-mail HYPERLINK "mailto:usacars@bonhams.com" usacars@bonhams.com.
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