'Captain America' chopper from 'Easy Rider' sells for record $1.35 million

(October 23, 2014) CALABASSAS, Calif. — The famous "Captain America" Harley-Davidson panhead chopper from the movie "Easy Rider" was sold here this past weekend at the Profiles in History auction for an astounding $1.35 million.

This made it the most expensive motorcycle ever sold at auction easily beating the $580,000 price paid for a 1910 Winchester last October, and the most expensive motorcycle ever sold topping the $1 million paid for Rollie Free's 1948 Vincent Black Lightning in 2011.

According to an account by Kurt Ernst at Hemmings Daily, "That’s where the certainty around this particular motorcycle more or less ends. This much is known: Four motorcycles were built for the filming of the 1969 cult classic road movie, Easy Rider. Two of these were near-identical Captain America choppers, identified by their stars-and-stripes gas tanks and ridden by Peter Fonda’s character (and the actor’s stunt double) in the movie. Two were near-identical Billy Bikes, ridden by Dennis Hopper’s character (and a stunt double).

"In the movie’s final scene, Fonda and Hopper are killed by shotgun blasts, and one of the Captain America choppers is nearly destroyed in the ensuing crash.

"Shortly after production wrapped, the three surviving motorcycles (including the Captain America ridden by Fonda and the two Billy Bikes) were stolen at gunpoint from stuntman Tex Hall, and never recovered. The remains of the crashed Captain America were reportedly given to actor Dan Haggerty, who had a cameo role in the movie and also acted as a set mechanic, keeping all four bikes in working order.

"Haggerty reportedly resurrected the chopper, and the Los Angeles Times reports that it was sold to Texan Gordon Granger for $63,500 in 1996. Haggerty authenticated the bike in writing at the time of sale, and again in 2005."

Peter Fonda also identified the motorcycle as "the only, last, original, authentic, Captain America" from the movie. But since then, Fonda has recanted, saying he relied on Haggerty's word for certification.

Auction house spokeswoman Sabrina Propper says bidding was fierce for the Harley-Davidson. More than one version of the bike was built but according to the auction catalog, the one that sold was the only one to survive.

The catalog says the bike — which was sold by Michael Eisenberg — was restored by Haggerty.

The person who bought the Captain America chopper over the weekend has not been identified, and has not indicated that they have a problem with its authentication. Over the next few weeks it may or not be determined as news reaches the new owner of the chopper who may be receiving a phone call from the Texan who also has an authenticated certificate from Haggerty.

Sources: Hemmings Daily, press reports