Las Vegas Bonhams motorcycle auction saw 128 bikes go under the hammer on 24 January, and the one to sweep the largest auction price is rather a special one. The auction saw a lot of famous and rare machines but they don’t come as famous and as rare as Steve McQueen’s 1938 Triumph 5T Speed Twin, which is the inspiration for 2019 Triumph Speed Twin’s name. While the auction house had expected the 5T to go for about GBP 65,000 (approximately Rs 60.76 lakh), McQueen’s Triumph 5T auctioned for a whopping GBP 118,278 (approximately Rs 1.1 crore) due to its confirmed and starry history.
Steve McQueen was known for his love for Triumph motorcycles, however, there are very few that remain of the ones he actually rode. The 1938 5T has changed hands a number of times since it was sold first at the original McQueen estate auction in 1984.
Despite being decades old, McQueen’s 5T is in brilliant condition thanks to his friend, mechanic, and Great Escape fence jumper Bud Ekins who did a full restoration on the motorcycle in the mid-1970s. The motorcycle still carries Ekin’s decal to this day. Moreover, it is believed that legendary pinstriper Von Dutch did the coach lining on McQueen’s bike but there is sadly no evidence of it.
The value on classic cars and motorcycles can skyrocket especially if they have an association with a famous personality. For perspective, the 2019 Triumph Speed Twin is expected to retail at about Rs 10 lakh in India.
Rs 340 crore for a car! 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO becomes most expensive car ever to be auctioned
The scenario is obviously much more surprising when it comes to cars. In August last year, a car was auctioned at Rs 340 crore! But then it was a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO. The GTO has always been special with the aficionados. Only 36 examples were built, so it was quite rare since the very beginning. But what’s more incredible is that all 36 of them are still up and running. Their ownership has, of course, created a very elite and exclusive club.
