Bonhams’ is organizing the sale of Exceptional Motorcycles & Related Memorabilia on May 14 at Quail Lodge in Carmel, California. They aren’t simply calling it ‘Exceptional Motorcycles’ because the collection to go under the hammer does have some really exceptional machines including the Husqvarna 400 CR motorcycle which was originally owned by the King of Cool, Steve McQueen, the Hollywood icon and motorcycle enthusiast.
Steve’s motorcycle was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated in August 1971. It remained McQueen’s favorite motorcycle for several years and he rode it at the Elsinore Grand Prix among other events. The bike also finds a place of pride in the cool new edition of McQueen’s Machines: The Cars and Bikes of a Hollywood Icon. Published by Motorbooks. The bike is easily the front runner in the collection and is sure to command a significant price at the auctions.
This is not the first auction for the bike. It was first purchased in 1984 at Harrah’s Auto Collection in Las Vegas, organized by the Steve McQueen Estate. The bike is in top condition as it has been fully restored. It now comes in a wooden box marked “Huskyâ€. The box contains all the documentation for the bike and several accessories. Steve McQueen fans will find a lot more memorabilia at the auction including racing trophies won by the legend of the silver screen.