Bonhams Las Vegas motorcycle auction

The rarity of a number of lots in the du Pont collection attracted phone bidders from around the world, as well as on the auction floor. The auction was held at the 'Auto Collections' centre of the Imperial Palace hotel in the heart of the Las Vegas casino strip on January 12. Ironically, top seller amongst the du Pont family lots wasn't an Indian, but a 1953 Vincent Series C Black Shadow! Despite travelling only 3,000 miles, the Vincent had had a hard life. Crashed by a previous owner, it was fitted with a factory replacement frame before it came into the du Pont family's possession. Crashed again, the Black Shadow was fitted with a non-standard replacement front wheel, then parked up for decades. While all Vincents tend to sell well, the seemingly high US$120,500 paid for this example was a reflection of its original features, like the seat, paint, headlight and gauges.

Amongst the Indians in the du Pont collection, a 1906 'Camel back' single was the oldest, as well as the best seller. Unrestored, the early Indian featured the rear-fender mounted fuel tank (hence the camel back name) that was a feature on Indians until 1909. Reported to be owned by Paul du Pont himself and ridden as recently as the 1970s, the unrestored Indian single sold for US$72,540. A 1907 camel back sold for US$67,860. Second-best selling Indian was a 1915 61ci board track twin. The 'cover star' from the Bonhams catalogue for this auction, the 1915 example was significant in that it marked the first year that the 61ci 'Big Twin' was produced. Another original example, this was apparently purchased by the du Ponts from a former Indian dealer in Delaware in the 1950s. The Big Twin sold for US$67,860 and included a number of period-correct spare parts. Other Indian motorcycles from the collection included a 'Model O' inline flat twin from 1917. One of the rarest pre-War Indians, this unusual machine was definitely in 'project' status, but still sold for US$10,764.

A diverse range of fuel tanks, carburettors, handlebars, engines and more from the du Pont collection also sold well. Chief amongst these were a pair of four-cylinder engines. A complete 1912 Henderson inline 4 sold for US$32,500, while a rare 1924 Ace four-cylinder (the design of which was later copied for Indian Fours) in unused condition, sold for an impressive US$35,000. Early Indian parts also sold well, the best price being for a 1912 twin cylinder engine, which sold for US$8,750.

Away from the du Pont collection, there were more than 70 other rare, vintage and collectable motorcycles consigned for the Bonhams Vegas sale. Unsurprisingly, another Vincent was the top seller from that section of the auction in the form of a 1955 Black Prince. When it first appeared on the Bonhams radar in 2010, the Vincent was complete, but dismantled, and featured unusual touches like a larger fuel tank, twin-plug cylinder head and blue paint. Purchased at that auction and restored by the UK-based consignor to as new condition, the Black Prince sold for US$122,500. A 1955 Vincent Series B Rapide sold for US$46,800.

As with the du Pont collection, an Indian was the nest best seller behind a Vincent amongst the non-du Pont lots on offer. This one was a 1911 Big Twin, from the year when Indian dominated in their first attempt at the iconic Isle of Man TT races. This example had been restored to running condition in the 1980s, and had been campaigned in pre-1916 events by the previous owner. Partially damaged in a fire in the 1990s, the Indian was rescued and cosmetically restored, but patinated to vintage appearance. A new tank was fitted at the same time, but the original was included in the US$84,240 sale price.

Given the focus of this auction, Indians in general tended to sell well, finding buyers when examples of other vintage marques were passed in. A 1928 Chief, believed to have once belonged to Steve McQueen, sold for US$46,800. Beautifully restored and a stand out in its bright red paint, the Chief was notable for featuring a front brake, which was a mid-year addition to the '28 models. A 1937 Indian Four was another stunning restoration, with the resto itself completed less than one year ago. A real standout in its black & sky blue paint, the '28 Model 437 Four sold for US$56,160. Another Indian Four from 1940 also sold well, but this one was unrestored. Significant in that it featured the plunger rear suspension and deeply valanced mudguards that debuted on 1940 models, the patina suggested it was originally a steel blue colour. Despite its condition, this rare Indian still sold for US$44,460.

Amongst the other vintage lots that sold well was a 1928 Henderson Deluxe Four. This one had been restored to immaculate condition, and came from a South African collection. 1928 marked the last year for the Henderson Deluxe, and featured such innovations for the time as balloon tyres, a full-floating front fork, higher compression 79ci engine and Henderson's first front brake. In outstanding - and running - condition, the beautiful blue & cream Henderson sold for US$70,200.

Some vintage oddities amongst the lots on offer included a rare Merkel 'Motor Wheel' from 1922. While Merkel (aka Flying Merkel) motorcycle production ceased in 1915, production of these Fred Merkel-designed clip-on engines for bicycles commenced in 1920, under Hendee Manufacturing Company (ie. Indian) ownership. The lot on offer was fitted to an Indian bicycle, and is one of few examples of these units thought to be in existence. It sold for US$7,020. Of the Merkel motorcycles, a 1911 model, built around an original engine and restored in the board track racer style, sold for US$40,950. Featuring accurate racer details like a lower loop frame and chain drive, the Flying Merkel racer was a stunner!

Some more modern lots of interest included an example of the unusual Dan Gurney 'Alligator' cruiser motorcycle. Built in various series since the 1980s, the lot on offer was an 'A-6', which was produced from 2002. Powered by a Honda 650cc engine boosted to 710cc, the Alligator combined sportsbike performance with laid-back cruiser-style seating. One of only 36 built, and painted in the colours of Gurney's Eagle F1 racers from the 1960s, the No Reserve Alligator sold for US$15,210. Another standout, and something of a bargain, was a 2008 KTM "SuperSpinne" custom built by Mark Dugally of 'MADercycles' in Los Angeles. Built around a 990 Super Duke R, the SuperSpinne (German for Super Spider) streetfighter featured custom-made carbon fibre panels, custom seat and lights. Additionally, the KTM featured a modified Akrapovic exhaust system and PSR custom fittings throughout. Despite a pre-auction estimate of US$12,000 - US$15,000, the SuperSpinne sold for a bargain price of only US$4,680.

Finally, a trio of OCC choppers were offered to benefit US women's heart health charity, 'Events of the Heart'. Built in 2007, the trio comprised a matching pair of Pro Street-style choppers, which were pretty mild by OCC standards, but the third was definitely wild! Each was powered by an H&L 124ci v-twin, with the wild black & white-flamed example featuring a stretched LSD rigid frame, single-sided swingarm (which also contained the oil tank), custom 2-into-1 exhaust, Custom barwork and more. This bike sold for US$10,530. The other two matching softail choppers sold for US$10,530 and US$10,296.

While a number of lots sold from the Las Vegas auction, there were some surprising No Sales amongst the lots on offer, including a trio of early Harley-Davidson recreations, a Henderson board track racer, Brough Superior SS100, 1925 Coventry-Eagle sidevalve, and some more modern bikes, like a Hercules W2000 rotary, ex-Eddie Lawson Norton Commando and others. The du Pont collection was the big success of the auction, with the Indian and other make parts selling for over US$200,000. The combined motorcycle and parts lots more than doubled their pre-auction estimate.

All prices listed are inclusive of buyer's premium
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