Los Angeles – November 11, 2007 - Bonhams & Butterfields celebrated half a decade of motoring auctions at the Petersen Automotive Museum this past weekend with leather clad bidders in full biker regalia competing for priceless collectible motorcycles and more. A large crowd of collectors and motoring aficionados paid more than $2.2-million for celebrity-owned motorcycles, hot rods from a noted private collection, and motoring collectibles.
Headlining the auction was a collection of never before offered memorabilia from iconoclast designer Von Dutch (from the days before he was turned into a clothing brand) and motorbikes from screen legends Steve McQueen, Clark Gable and Charles Bronson.
The diverse line-up of items from some of the biggest names in the history of popular culture generated strong bidding from buyers in the audience and via telephone from around the world.
This resulted in the following highlights:
* The Sonny Mazza 1930 Ford Model A hemi hot rod roadster sold for
$150,000.
* An original condition 1909 Pierce Four went far above its estimate
selling at $161,000.
* An Indian board track racer - the first Indian built in 1912 - sold
for double its estimate at $124,700.
* The 1919 Cleveland single painted by Von Dutch was bought for $93,600.
* The ex-Clark Gable 1934 Harley-Davidson RL sold for $70,200.
* The ex-Steve McQueen 1970 Kawasaki G31 dirt bike, custom painted and
personalized by pal Von Dutch, exceeded all expectations and went for
$55,575.
* Steve McQueen's leather flight jacket made $46,800 after spirited
bidding.
This has become a must attend event for motor aficionados of all genres which gives the 214-year-old auction house a platform to forge an identity among the leaders in collector cars, motorcycles, art and antiques auctions.
Says Mark Osborne, VP of the Motoring Department at Bonhams & Butterfields, "With our Steve McQueen auction last year, which set several world record prices, and this year's Von Dutch sale we are seeing ever-expanding interest in collector's motorcycles and our annual fall event at the Petersen Museum just keeps growing from strength to strength".
Representing unique collections from both the motoring and counter culture world, Bonhams' auction, held in conjunction with the Love Ride, is an interesting addition to California Bike Week.
For more information go to: www.Bonhams.com .
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