(March 24, 2015) What took nearly 50 years to accumulate, was dispersed in mere hours as Mecum Auctions offered the 225 motorcycles of the E.J. Cole Collection on March 20-21 at South Point Casino and Exhibit Hall in Las Vegas. Total hammer sales reached $12,270,000 — the most ever achieved by a single vintage motorcycle auction.

The auction was highlighted by the sale of a 100-year-old Cyclone Board Track Racer once owned by Steve McQueen at $775,000, making it one of the highest documented prices ever paid for a motorcycle at auction.

Considered by many to be the finest, most diverse single collection of American-made machines, the E.J. Collection featured production years ranging from 1903 to 1991. Several of his motorcycles had ownership history with actor Steve McQueen, and even more of them were ultra-rare vintage and antique originals.

Of the motorcycles offered, 23 sold for $100,000 or more, and the average sale price overall was more than $50,000 each. Top sales were claimed by the ex-Steve McQueen 1915 Cyclone Board Track Racer — one of just 13 believed to exist and the only one with McQueen ties — which hammered at $775,000, and a rare and unrestored 1907 Harley-Davidson Strap Tank gaveling at $650,000. Both sales made these motorcycles two of the most expensive motorcycles ever sold at auction.



E.J. Cole, of Houston, was present at the event and was actively engaged with the nearly 1,000 bidders and spectators in attendance. “Mr. Cole and his collection were inspirational to the audience of true collectors that attended this auction,” said Ron Christenson, the president of Mecum Auctions’ MidAmerica Motorcycle division.

“These world-record sales represent more than just a transfer of ownership. Mr. Cole is revered for assembling pieces of mechanical history, and this past weekend, motorcycle collectors experienced a once-in-a-lifetime event with their sale.”

The complete top 10 sales at the E.J. Cole Collection Auction include (all individual sales reflect hammer prices):

1.   1915 Cyclone Board Track Racer Ex-Steve McQueen at $775,000 (pictured above)

2.   1907 Harley-Davidson Strap Tank at $650,000

3.   1911 Flying Merkel Board Track Racer at $385,000

4.   1942 Crocker V Twin Big Tank at $350,000

5.   1928 Indian Altoona Hillclimber at $225,000

6.   1912 Harley-Davidson Model 8A Twin at $215,000

7.   1912 Henderson 4 at $205,000

8.   1917 Henderson 4 Ex-Steve McQueen at $190,000

9.   1930 Harley-Davidson Factory Hillclimber at $165,000

10. 1907 Indian Tri-Car with Sedan Chair at $165,000

Mecum’s next collector car auction will be in Houston featuring 1,000 cars April 9-11, followed by a 700-car auction in Kansas City, Mo., April 23-25. The next motorcycle auction will be held May 14 in concert with Mecum’s 28th Annual Original Spring Classic auction May 12-17 featuring 2,000 cars and 100 select motorcycles at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis.