Mecum calls its MidAmerica Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction best ever

(January 15, 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 — the factory cut-away display model for the introduction of the new Clubman model — which sold for $110,000.”


1912 Henderson Four

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 that claimed the title as the auction’s top seller demanding $165,000. Additionally, a 1914 Flanders Model D Twin hammered at $90,000, and a 1906 Armac Single 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 bringing $90,000. Among modern-day classic motorcycles available at the Vegas auction, a 2004 MTT Y2K 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):

    1912 Henderson Four at $165,000
    1946 Vincent Rapide Prototype at $152,500
    1955 Vincent Black Prince at $120,000
    1929 Cleveland Tornado Four Cylinder at $115,000
    2004 MTT Y2K Turbine at $115,000
    1956 BSA Gold Star Clubman Cutaway at $110,000
    1912 Pierce Four at $90,000
    1939 Harley-Davidson EL Knucklehead at $90,000
    1952 Vincent Black Shadow (Lot F119) at $90,000
    1914 Flanders Model D Twin (Lot S113.1) at $90,000