Two Hondas beat the previous world record for a Japanese motorcycle at auction at Mecum’s monster five-day sale of 1700 bikes at Las Vegas, USA (27-31 January).
The top seller at the auction was a George Beale replica of the 297cc Grand Prix Honda-6 from the 1960s. Constructed in 2002, and one of 10, it made $330,000/£241,000 (prices include a 10% premium).
Trailblazer for Honda’s sensational CB750 sales success: 1968 experimental model features a rear-hinged seatRunner-up was a 1968 prototype Honda CB750-4 at $313,500/£229,000. Billed as the first CB750 to enter America, it is an experimental model with numerous differences from subsequent production models.
The CB750 is generally accepted as the first post-war superbike because of its four-cylinder engine, performance, backlit instrumentation, electric start, glamorous looks, and deluxe comfort.
Among bidders was Honda spares specialist David Silver, who has retail premises in Suffolk and America. He entered 64 machines of various marques, his best seller was a 1920 three-cylinder Redrup Radial at $82,500/£60,260.