(January 11, 2018) LAS VEGAS — Following record sales in 2017, this year’s 27th annual Mecum Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction will feature an estimated 1,750 antique, vintage and collectible motorcycles to cross the auction block Tuesday, Jan. 23 through Saturday, Jan. 27 inside the South Point Arena and Equestrian Center and Priefert Pavilion.

The extravaganza has become an annual gathering of consignors, buyers and spectators sharing a passion for the history, beauty and camaraderie among enthusiasts from around the world.
 
Featured collections and offerings abound in the 2018 auction lineup, with many historic race bikes and more among them including Jeff Ward’s Championship-winning “Works” 1985 Kawasaki SR250, a 1911 Flying Merkel Single, a five-time national championship-winning 1948 Vincent Rapide Series B Hillclimber, the first production bike built and sold by Eric Buell, a 1984 Buell RW750, and much more.
 
Among the auction’s seven featured private collections are 175-plus consignments from collector Tom Reese, who holds a long-term goal of presenting the world’s finest dirt-bike museum: the Moto Armory.


1948 Vincent Rapide Series B Hillclimber

From Aprilla to Zundapp, all off-road racing disciplines are represented within the Reese assemblage, whether it is MX, ISDT, Flat Track, Hill Climb or Trials bikes. From Malcolm Smith’s gold-medal original 1967 Husqvarna ISDT to Chris Carr’s Harley XR750.
 
From his own private assemblage of investment-grade motorcycles, Ray Hott will also bring a selection of offerings, which will include seven no-reserve motorcycles donning the badges of Harley-Davidson, Indian, Motobecane and Whizzer. Bob Weaver, Jeff Schwartz, Roger Hanke and several others will bring collection offerings as well, and the auction will be further headlined by the main-attraction sale of the Excelsior-Henderson Brand and its related intellectual property.
 
“Following last year’s $13-million-plus in sales and 92 percent sell-through rate, the Mecum Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction has again cemented its title as the world’s premiere vintage motorcycle auction,” said President of Mecum Auctions’ motorcycle division Ron Christenson.

“For 2018, we’re anticipating a more than 50 percent increase in consignments that will only enhance the attention that the auction already receives from collectors and enthusiasts globally.”
 
Bidder registration for the auction is available online in advance for $100, or $200 at the auction, and includes admission for two to each auction day. General admission tickets are available in advance online at Mecum.com for $20, and for $30 at the door and online once the auction begins. Children 12 years of age and younger will receive complimentary admission. Doors open daily at 8 a.m. with the auction beginning at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 23, and at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Jan. 24-27.

Portions of the event will be broadcast on NBC Sports Network on Tuesday, Feb. 1 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. and from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. A live stream of the entire auction will be presented at Mecum.com.
 
Mecum’s website is updated daily with the latest consignments, including detailed descriptions and photographs of the motorcycles. To view the list, consign a motorcycle or register as a bidder, visit Mecum.com or call (262) 275-5050.