Auction News Network

100 MPH Without Brakes: Steve McQueen’s 1914 Indian At Bonhams

Of all the motorcycles owned by Steve McQueen—and there were many—one of the more unusual is the 1914 Indian Board Track Racer that Bonhams will offer at its Stafford sale in England later this month. Produced for one of the first pine-board motordomes in the country, it was fitted with neither brakes nor throttle. Racers went all out, powered by a 4hp, 500cc engine, reaching speeds of 100mph. Restored by Indian specialist Stephen Wright, McQueen’s bike is estimated at $34,000-$43,000.

A Duesenberg Like No Other, $4.5m

A 1935 Duesenberg coupe, Model SJ, with a supercharged, 8-cylinder engine and a sexy body sold for $4.5m this past weekend by RM Auctions at the Amelia Island sale. Only three SJs came from the factory. This was the only one equipped with the supercharger.

With its low slung, sculpted profile, three speed transmission, and semi-automatic convertible top, the Model SJ was Duesenberg’s entry in a more aerodynamic, up to date design compared to some of its earlier models.  The SJ was designed by J. Herbert Newport. Coachwork by Walker-LaGrande.

Duesenberg Leads Boca Raton Concours Auction

In its day, the ultra-sleek 1930 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Phaeton had few rivals for style, luxury, engineering or power. More expensive than a Rolls Royce or Hispano Suiza, fewer than 500 were made, making the cars’ owners members of a very exclusive club that included Clark Gable, Greta Garbo, and William Randolph Hearst. The example that Bonhams will offer tomorrow at the Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance belonged to the wife of Duesenberg’s owner, E.L. Cord and has been featured in numerous movies. Restored to show standards, it comes to the auction without an estimate, generally a sign of high expectations.