750-plus antique motorcycles go up for auction at South Point in January

Reporting from Las Vegas —  More than 750 antique motorcycles are coming up for auction in Las Vegas Jan. 8-10 when Mecum Auctions brings MidAmerica’s 24th annual Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction to South Point. Dubbed “the most anticipated antique motorcycle auction of the year,” the three-day event is open to all and draws participants from all 50 states and around the world. This year will see a record 750 antique and collector motorcycles cross the auction block spanning a full century of production from 1903 to 2003.

Ten private collections from some of the hobby’s well-known enthusiasts are among the items up for bids. Among them is an assemblage of 40 motorcycles from The Shane Van Pelt Collection, most of which will be offered at no reserve, as well as a great selection from the personal collection of Don Andress, owner and operator of the Las Vegas Harley-Davidson dealership. A lineup of 44 from the David Silver Spares Collection will be offered all at no reserve, and an additional 21 motorcycles at no reserve from The Buddy Stubbs Collection will also cross the auction block.

Other main-attraction consignments include a 1966 Harley-Davidson CRTT (Lot S77), with documentation that National Champion Racer Mert Lawwill rode the cycle. The bike is the first CR Sprint Harley-Davidson received from Italy in 1966 and one of only six Harley-Davidson factory team CRTT bikes built. Another auction headliner, from The Gary Davis Collection, is the actual stunt bike used in the 1990 Marvel Comics “Captain America” movie (Lot S124), ridden by Gary Davis himself.

For the antique motorcycle collectors, there will be a 1911 Harley-Davidson Model 7A (Lot S115) in original, unrestored condition. This small sampling only scratches the surface of the extensive selection of motorcycles that will be offered for sale throughout the three-day event.

A live stream of the entire auction will air at Mecum.com with portions also broadcast on NBC Sports Network. The auction is open to buyers, sellers and spectators with general admission tickets available at the gate for $20 per person, per day or $50 for a three-day pass; children ages 12 and younger receive complimentary admission. Bidder registration is $100 and includes admission for two to all auction days. Doors open daily at 8 a.m. with the auction beginning on Thursday, Jan. 8, at 4 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, Jan. 9 and 10, at 10 a.m.

Mecum’s Website is updated daily with the latest consignments including detailed descriptions and photographs of the motorcycles. To view the list, to consign a vehicle or to register as a bidder for this auction, visit www.mecum.com or call 262-275-5050.