Steve McQueen classic Harley motorcycle – ‘very rare’ – sells at Auctions America

Hollywood star Steve Mcqueen continues to draw collectors, this time at Auctions America's sale

Collectors' love of Hollywood legend Steve McQueen shows no signs of abating. Recent successes for the Great Escape and Towering Inferno star include the sale of his overalls at Profiles In History's recent auction held between December 15 and 17.

You can see Steve in his overalls in the 1971 classic movie Le Mans. In the end, they sold for $984,000 - even more impressive considering they had once been given away by the British Observer newspaper in a special competition, in 1971.

And now the McQueen magic is set to continue at Auctions America's upcoming Las Vegas Premier Motorcycle Auction between January 12-14, 2012.

Auctioneer Auctions America, a subsidiary of RM, describes this bike as a "true survivor": a 1938 Harley Davidson WLD 45ci Sport, boasting an all-original Silver Tan with Sunshine Blue paint scheme.

Steve McQueen's classic and rare Harley Davidson 45ci Sport motorcycle

McQueen's rare bike also boasts excellent provenance. It appeared as lot number 535 during the now-famous Steve McQueen estate auction of November 1984. That, too, was held in Las Vegas at the Imperial Palace.

The Harley Davidson 45ci Sport is apparently still in "the same condition" as when it sold in 1984.

The model is "very rare" even without its celebrity provenance: a WLD Sport Solo model with the extra high compression engine.

This bike is original and fully-documented, and will appear for sale with a "Steve McQueen certificate." Other paperwork includes its bill of sale, original bidders numbers and much more.

The bike will sell with 21,100 miles on the odometer and period correct Goodyear Grasshopper tires. Interested parties can find out its presale estimate by contacting Auctions America.

Recent and related articles

  Bonhams classic motorcycle auction features '$80,000' 1906 Indian Camelback | 30 December 2011

  Profiles In History memorabilia auction makes stars of McQueen and Monroe | 19 December 2011

  1917 Harley-Davidson motorcycle - one-of-a-kind - sells at Auctions America | 10 December 2011

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Images: Auctions America