Dennis Hopper and Steve McQueen Motorcycles Added to Mecum Celebrity Items Auction, July 26-27
Mecum has announced the addition of two vintage, celebrity motorcycles to the upcoming Celebrity Items Auction taking place July 26-27 at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. A 1968 Husqvarna 250T Commando previously owned by actor Dennis Hopper and a 1971 Husqvarna 400 Cross previously owned and raced by actor Steve McQueen join a growing list of previously announced collectible vehicles including personal cars from Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and actress Bette Davis, alongside cars from films including the Green Hornet, and more! In addition, another unique piece previously owned by McQueen, a late 1890s Hendee & Nelson Silver King bicycle, will also be up for auction.
Perhaps no other figure in acting, other than Steve McQueen, has a legacy so closely tied to motorcycling. Hopper's portrayal of Billy on a cross-country motorcycle trip in “Easy Rider” is credited with revolutionizing Hollywood in the late sixties and firmly established him a counter-culture icon. The actor raced motorcycles with McQueen along the dirt firebreaks from Coldwater Canyon to the Pacific, cruised with the Hells Angels and owned several motorcycles throughout his lifetime.
Dennis Hopper’s 1968 Husqvarna 250T Commando [Lot F310] is one of only 300 Commando's ever produced and includes many special features: 21” front, single cylinder two-stroke engine, CEV speedometer, headlight, horn and tail light, leather tank bag and single muffler. An original DMV release of liability shows the Husqvarna was originally registered to Dennis Lee Hopper of Venice, California, and will be included in this sale. This is the first time ever a Hopper bike has been offered at auction and Mecum is honored to bringing it across the block.
Steve McQueen’s 1971 Husqvarna 400 Cross [Lot F311] with its signature red and chrome gas tank patch, mud flap, Magura cables, and brake and clutch lever dust covers, is identical to the one McQueen famously rode shirtless on the cover of “Sports Illustrated” and in the whimsical beach scene outside of Camp Pendleton for “On Any Sunday.”
Lastly, McQueen’s personal bicycle, a late 1890s Hendee & Nelson Silver King [Lot F236] will also make its way to the auction block. This unique piece pre-dates the Hendee & Nelson work bikers have come to know and love, as co-founders and partners of the famed Indian Motorcycle Company. The bicycle features solid rubber tires on wooden rims, a vintage leather seat, and a portion of 19th century lantern on the front handlebars. A painted plaque that reads “Steve McQueen” hangs from the cross bar. The bike comes with a letter of authenticity signed by McQueen’s widow Barbara Minty McQueen.
Previously announced vehicles headed to the auction block include Steve McQueen's 1931 Harley Davidson VL 74 (1200 ccm) [Lot F238] and 1969 Chevrolet C/10 Baja Truck (Lot F239). Other collector cars to be featured include Elvis Presley’s personal 1972 Cadillac Custom Estate Wagon (Lot S210), Frank Sinatra’s personal 1989 Jaguar XJS (Lot S169), a George Barris Custom built 1957 Chevy Coupe for Ringo Starr (Lot S235), Bette Davis’ 1980 Ford Mustang (Lot S129), a 1965 Chrysler Imperial used in the 2011 film The Green Hornet (Lot S278), the 1973 Chevrolet El Camino used in the popular TV series My Name is Earl (Lot S369), a 2007 GMC Yukon featured in CSI: Miami (Lot S329) and the custom-made “Flintstone Family Car” from the 1994 feature film The Flintstones.
Mecum Auctions, the largest collector car auction house in the world, recently announced the Mecum Celebrity Items Auction: Celebrating the Legendary History of Hollywood, a two-day extravaganza at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, CA July 26-27, 2013. Mecum will display and present extraordinary pieces of entertainment history focused on vintage Hollywood, music and pop culture memorabilia, all with amazing celebrity history. It will feature a remarkable, wide range of more than 2,000 personal items and rare artifacts to motorcycles, cars and more from the Golden Years of Hollywood to present day. Select items will be available online for silent auction beginning July 5 at www.mecum.com.
To consign an item or to become a pre-registered bidder at the auction, visit www.mecum.com or call (262) 275-5050.
MECUM CELEBRITY ITEMS AUCTION SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Barker Hangar: 3021 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90405-6101 (www.barkerhangar.com)
PUBLIC PREVIEW:
Thursday, July 25, 6:00pm – 9:00pm // Friday, July 26, 12:00pm – 5:00pm
LIVE AUCTION TIMES:
Friday July 26, 5:00pm – 9:00pm // Saturday, July 27, 1:00pm – 5:00pm
* Admission: $20 per person per day, children 12 and younger admitted free
SILENT AUCTION:
Opens July 5 exclusively at Mecum.com
About Mecum Auction
Nobody sells more than Mecum. Nobody. The Mecum Auction Company is the world leader of collector car and Road Art sales, hosting auctions throughout the United States. The company has been specializing in the sale of collector cars for 26 years, now offering more than 15,000 vehicles per year and averaging more than one auction each month. Established by President Dana Mecum in 1988, Mecum Auctions remains a family-run company headquartered in Walworth, Wis. For further information, visit www.mecum.com or call (262) 275-5050. Follow along with Mecum’s social media news and join us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram.
