A Triumph 5T Speed Twin once owned by Steve McQueen is among the rare motorcycles to be auctioned at a Mecum auction in Las Vegas on 24 January, 2019.
McQueen’s 1938 Triumph 5T Speed Twin 500 is estimated to fetch up to £51,000.
The Hollywood star had a long association with Triumph, having ridden a TR6 in The Great Escape and the 1964 International Six Day Trial, representing the USA.
This bike was restored for McQueen by friend and fellow ISDT team member Bud Ekins in the mid to late 1970s.
Another highlight of the auction is a 1993 Ducati 550cc Supermono tipped to fetch up to £98,000. It is one of only 67 design by Pierre Terblanche and built specifically for the Sound of Singles race.
“The Supermono was regarded as a resounding triumph,” says Bonhams motorcycle specialist Craig Mallery.
“It’s a very curvaceous design. There’s very little that’s angular about it. It’s a beautiful bike, very compact.”
Another interesting item is a 1916 Harley-Davidson Model F that sat untouched for many decades and still includes a period front tyre. It was parked indoors many years ago in indoor storage and was recently discovered by American TV car restorer Wayne Carini, host of the Chasing Classic Cars TV series which featured the Harley in one episode.
Picture montage: Sump Magazine