Mecum’s Monterey auction is about as ritzy as auctions get. Held during the annual Monterey Car Week at Del Monte Golf Course in Monterey, California, this year’s auction took in $54 million in sales, with 11 vehicles gaveling at more than $1 million!
Relative to the rare cars crossing the auction block, rare motorcycles drew in pocket change, but there were a couple of notables that garnered more than $100,000.
Headlining the moto sales chart was a gorgeous 1913 Henderson Four long-tank that sold for $132,000. It’s an AMCA award-winner that was previously displayed at Eddie Rickenbacker’s museum/restaurant in San Francisco. The bike underwent a comprehensive restoration and a rebuild of its 65ci L-head inline 4-cylinder engine and restoration of its nickel hardware and plunger-style fork.
Next up was a 1912 Pierce Four, which had been reconstructed by Fred Lange Restoration. Pierce was the first shaft-driven American 4-cylinder motorcycle, with a 43ci engine linked to a 2-speed gearbox. It’s estimated that only 3,500 Pierce motorcycles were made over five years of production. Its price wasn’t disclosed at time of publication.
If a Four isn’t enough, how about a V-Twin from the MoCo? A splendid 1947 EL Deluxe Knucklehead sold for $110,000. It had been restored with original parts, and its odometer reads only 2,218 miles. Included in the sale were front and rear crash bars and its center and side stands.
The fourth highest-selling bike was another Four, naturally, this one a 1941 Indian Four rebuilt in 2023 by 4th Coast Fours. It was sold for an undisclosed price in running condition with just 12 miles showing on the odometer.
Ranked fifth in the list of priciest motorcycles at the auction was an ultra-rare machine, a 1913 Excelsior Autocycle with a 61ci V-Twin and 2-speed transmission. Its price wasn’t disclosed.
National Motorcycle Museum Mecum Auction
Top sales at the Monterey 2024 auction
- 1969 Ford GT40 Lightweight at $7,865,000
- 1969 Dodge Hemi Daytona at $3,360,000
- 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 at $3,080,000
- 2003 Ferrari Enzo at $2,860,000
- 1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda Convertible at $2,576,000
- 1967 Ferrari 330 GTS at $2,530,000
- 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Convertible at $2,352,000
- 2005 Porsche Carrera GT at $1,732,500
- 1930 Packard 734 Speedster Boattail Runabout at $1,375,000
- 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster at $1,237,500
