The 32nd annual Mecum Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction begins in one week, this year featuring several impressive collections and offering an estimated 2,000 motorcycles. Drawing a lot of attention this year is the recent addition of the “As-Found” collection from Mike Wolfe, the star of television’s American Pickers, who is offering more than 60 historic American bikes in their original as-found condition. For Harley-Davidson fans, Jim’s Forever Collection will be a must-see. Gathered by Jim Godwin over 60 years, the collection will include more than 100 motorcycles such as a Panhead from nearly every year of production and a handful of Knuckleheads, among other motorcycles and hundreds of pieces of collectible H-D promo items.

For more information, read the press release below.


Mecum

Walworth, Wis. – Jan. 3, 2023 – The global gathering of vintage motorcycle enthusiasts will return to South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas this Jan. 24-28 in a big way, as Mecum Auctions’ 32nd annual Vintage & Antique Motorcycle Auction reaches new heights with an estimated 2,000 motorcycles to be offered. Headlining consignments are numerous, with highlights from more than 15 private collections leading the way, including motorcycles from Jim’s Forever Collection, Mike Wolfe’s As Found Collection, the BMW Centennial Selection From the Black Forest Collection and many others.

Wolfe, the well-known frontman of television’s American Pickers, has amassed an impressive collection of some of the world’s rarest and most highly sought-after motorcycles in highly original condition, a group that is now slated to become a once-in-a-lifetime offering christened as Mike Wolfe’s As Found Collection. The assemblage contains more than 60 two-wheeled icons, including mostly original and unaltered Harley-Davidsons and Indians, all to be offered at no reserve, such as a 1919 Indian Military Twin (Lot S149) and a 1936 Harley-Davidson EL Knucklehead (Lot S150).

Mecum Auction: 1965 Harley-Davidson FLH Electra Glide Panhead
1965 Harley-Davidson FLH Electra Glide Panhead, 74ci, 4,855 Miles from Jim’s Forever Collection

Another well-known name in the motorcycling milieu is Jim Godwin, the former Harley-Davidson dealer behind Jim’s Forever Museum – a 60-year collection of some of the American builder’s best. Godwin will offer more than 100 motorcycles from his private collection at no reserve, as well as the remaining portion of his Harley-Davidson memorabilia collection; as quite possibly the largest of its kind ever offered at auction, the majority of Godwin’s assortment of memorabilia was sold via Mecum On Time.

Related: Mecum Auction in Las Vegas to Feature Jim’s Forever Collection

Among the most desirable motorcycles from Godwin’s vault are a handful of the celebrated Knucklehead line, led by a restored 1947 Harley-Davidson FL Knucklehead (Lot F140) presented in a bold red color scheme, a plethora of chrome and boasting 53 hp from its 74ci (1,200cc) V-twin, which reaches the road through a 4-speed, hand-shifted gearbox. A 1946 Harley-Davidson FL Springer Knucklehead (Lot F142) is finished in two-tone red over black with matching fenders and powered by a 74ci air-cooled V-twin engine. Godwin’s 1940 Harley-Davidson EL Knucklehead (Lot F141) features a 61ci OHV V-twin that had been refined from its early production hiccups and is here nestled into the bike’s twin downtube frame, which is finished in a light gray with red pinstriping and offers a stellar balance of flash with tasteful chrome accents, fender trim, and a new tank emblem. Finally, built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Jim’s Harley-Davidson in Mendon, Ohio, is a 1972 Harley-Davidson Jim’s Knucklehead Custom Chopper (Lot F141.1) that combines elements of all three iconic versions of the FL: the timing cover is “cone Shovel,” the crankcases is Panhead, and the cylinder heads are Knucklehead.

Mecum Auction: 1948 Harley-Davidson 125 S
1948 Harley-Davidson 125 S, 125cc, 3-Speed from Jim’s Forever Collection

Another collection consigned to this year’s Mecum Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction is the BMW Centennial Selection From the Black Forest Collection of 10 motorcycles, eight of which were restored by collection owner and curator Hubert Fehrenbach, including a one-of-152 1925 BMW R37 (Lot F145) that was discovered 25 years ago at the Marxzelle Museum in Germany in highly original condition and a 1926 BMW R42 (Lot F143.1) that is purported to be the earliest R42 still in existence, boasting Frame No. 4 and Engine No. 7.

Mecum Auction 2023: 1908 Harley-Davidson Strap Tank
1908 Harley-Davidson Strap Tank

Among other headlining lots consigned for the Las Vegas auction is a 1908 Harley-Davidson Strap Tank (Lot S174.1) that is among the oldest surviving models of this extremely rare breed and was discovered as a complete motorcycle in a Wisconsin barn in 1941, where it remained for 66 years. It’s one of only 450 motorcycles produced by Harley-Davidson in 1908 and includes the original tank, wheels, engine belt pulley, seat cover, and muffler sleeve with its sale. Also bearing the Harley-Davidson name is a 2009 Harley-Davidson Cross Bones (Lot S192) previously owned since new by Brian Johnson, lead singer of the rock band AC/DC and featured on the 1980 hit album “Back in Black”; the bike has a 96ci (1,584cc) V-twin engine and 6-speed gearbox.    

Mecum Auction 2023: 2009 Harley-Davidson Cross Bones Brian Johnson
2009 Harley-Davidson Cross Bones, owned by Brian Johnson

Those interested in consigning a motorcycle for auction at Mecum’s 2023 Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction can find complete details about the consignment process and pricing on Mecum’s website. Bidder registration is available online in advance and on-site at the auction starting at $100, and standard, in-person bidding includes admission for two persons to the four auction days. For those unable to attend in person, enhanced remote bidding options are also available, including for both online and telephone bidding.

General admission tickets are available in advance online for $20 per person, per day, and for $30 at the door and online after Jan. 24; children 12 and younger receive complimentary admission.

For more information on the 2023 Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction and all other scheduled auctions, visit Mecum’s website. The website is updated daily with the latest consignments and includes detailed descriptions and photographs of the vehicles to be offered. For schedule information, to consign a vehicle or to register as a bidder for this and all Mecum events, visit the website or call (262) 275-5050 for more information.

Mecum Auction Schedule

32nd Annual Mecum Las Vegas Vintage & Antique Motorcycle Auction

Jan. 24-28, 2023

South Point Hotel & Casino

9777 Las Vegas Blvd S

Las Vegas, NV 89183

Bidder Registration: Options for in-person, telephone, and internet bidding start at $100

Admission: $20 in advance online, and $30 at the door and online after Jan. 23 per person, per day; children 12 and younger receive complimentary admission

Preview: Gates open daily at 8 a.m.

Auction: Motorcycle auction begins daily at 10 a.m.

TV Schedule on MotorTrend: To be announced.

(All times Pacific)

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