Mecum Las Vegas motorcycle auction reaches $17.5 million in sales


1907 Harley-Davidson Strap Tank

(May 5, 2021) WALWORTH, Wis. — The 30th anniversary return of the Mecum Las Vegas Vintage & Antique Motorcycle Auction was held  April 28 through May 1, and results were strong for the event that has long held status as the world’s largest of its kind. The 2021 auction achieved overall sales of $17.5 million as 1,151 motorcycles changed hands in just four days, and with a total of 1,214 motorcycles offered at the auction, the sell-through rate equaled a hearty 95%, a remarkable achievement for a reserve-based auction.

Individual sales at the auction were also a marked success with all 10 motorcycles in the top-seller list achieving six-figure prices. The celebrated Harley-Davidson name dominated top sales with eight of the 10 bearing the instantly recognizable branding of the venerable American builder.

Led by a rare and desirable 1907 Strap Tank  that brought $297,000, the top 10 also included a 1943 E Model  and a 1946 FL  that each sold for $220,000, as well as a 1947 FL  that sold for $192,500 and a 1936 EL  that achieved $159,500.

Other marques to make the list included Vincent, with a 1953 Black Shadow selling for $165,000, and Indian, with a 1903 model  bringing $143,000.


1943 Harley-Davidson E Model

Private collections were a highlight in Las Vegas, and the headlining J.C. Burgin Collection of approximately 50 vintage and antique motorcycles was among the standouts bringing a total of $2.2 million. As one of the only collections in the world to contain at least one example of all 12 of Harley-Davidson’s famed Knucklehead series, the stellar results came as little surprise with six of the lots from the group claiming a spot in top sales, including several of the aforementioned Harley-Davidsons.

The complete top 10 motorcycle sales at the Las Vegas 2021 auction include:

    1    1907 Harley-Davidson Strap Tank  at $297,000
    2    1943 Harley-Davidson E Model  at $220,000
    3    1946 Harley-Davidson FL at $220,000
    4    1947 Harley-Davidson FL  at $192,500
    5    1953 Vincent Black Shadow at $165,000
    6    1936 Harley-Davidson EL at $159,500
    7    1938 Harley-Davidson EL at $154,000
    8    1903 Indian at $143,000
    9    1944 Harley-Davidson FL at $143,000
   10   1942 Harley-Davidson EL at $137,500