MECUM MIDAMERICA VEGAS 2016 MOTORCYCLE AUCTION, BEST RESULTS IN HISTORY

January 15, 2016 by Mecum Auctions

• Three-Day Auction Achieves 80 Percent Sell-Through, Breaks $9 Million in Total Sales

WALWORTH, Wis. – Jan. 14, 2016 – Celebrating its quarter-century anniversary, the annual Mecum MidAmerica Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction achieved an astounding $9,054,965 in total sales and an 80-percent sell-through rate. In all, 516 motorcycles hammered sold of the 646 offered Jan. 7-9. The auction's overall total increased more than $1.5 million above 2015 with this year's average motorcycle sale reaching more than $17,000, a near-$5,000 increase over last year's average.

'The auction was an amazing success,' reports Ron Christenson, president of Mecum's MidAmerica Motorcycle Division. 'The crowds were fantastic, the energy in the room was electric, and everyone I spoke with said they really had a great time.' The energy and crowds translated to strong sales and Christenson said bidders had a wide array of interests, though certain themes did stand out. 'The British marques again showed their strength achieving an overall sell-through rate of more than 90 percent,' says Christenson. 'The sixth top sale of the auction was actually a 1956 BSA Gold Star (Lot S175)—the factory cut-away display model for the introduction of the new Clubman model—which sold for $110,000.'

Christenson added that the early American motorcycle market proved its continued popularity with collectors searching out that special low-production motorcycle to add to their collection. Great examples include the 1912 Henderson Four (Lot S74) that claimed the title as the auction's top seller demanding $165,000. Additionally, a 1914 Flanders Model D Twin (Lot S113.1) hammered at $90,000, and a 1906 Armac Single (Lot F98) changed hands for $52,000. Of course the tried-and-true Harley-Davidson held its own as well with an original 1939 Harley Davidson EL Knucklehead (Lot S65) bringing $90,000. Among modern-day classic motorcycles available at the Vegas auction, a 2004 MTT Y2K (Lot S148) powered by a Rolls-Royce Turbine engine brought a very respectable $115,000 sale price landing the fifth seat in top sales.

The complete top 10 sales list from the Las Vegas auction includes (all individual sales reflect hammer prices): 1.1912 Henderson Four (Lot S74) at $165,000

2.1946 Vincent Rapide Prototype (Lot S160) at $152,500

3.1955 Vincent Black Prince (Lot S174) at $120,000

4.1929 Cleveland Tornado Four Cylinder (Lot F141) at $115,000

5.2004 MTT Y2K Turbine (Lot S148) at $115,000

6.1956 BSA Gold Star Clubman Cutaway (Lot S175) at $110,000

7.1912 Pierce Four (Lot F142) at $90,000

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8.1939 Harley-Davidson EL Knucklehead (Lot S65) at $90,000

9.1952 Vincent Black Shadow (Lot F119) at $90,000

10.1914 Flanders Model D Twin (Lot S113.1) at $90,000

For access to complete auction results and other member benefits, signup for the free InfoNet service offered at www.mecum.com. Mecum's next antique motorcycle auction will be the all-new Chicago Motorcycle Auction this June 10 and June 11 at the Schaumburg Convention Center in Schaumburg, Ill. Christenson reports that approximately 125 of the 350 anticipated motorcycles have already been consigned, signifying high levels of enthusiasm about the event in the motorcycle community. For more details on an upcoming auction, to consign a motorcycle or to register as a bidder, visit www.mecum.com or call (262) 275-5050.

About Mecum Auctions

Nobody sells more than Mecum. Nobody. The Mecum Auction Company is the world leader of collector car and Road Art sales, hosting auctions throughout the United States. The company has been specializing in the sale of collector cars for 28 years, now offering more than 15,000 vehicles per year and averaging more than one auction each month. Established by President Dana Mecum in 1988, Mecum Auctions remains a family-run company headquartered in Walworth, Wis. For further information, visit www.mecum.com or call (262) 275-5050. Follow along with Mecum's social media news and join us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram.