From the Shop with Glenn Bator Welcome to the second edition of “Motorcycle Investor Newsletter”. After the unexpected success and positive response that we received from our inaugural issue which we released a few months back, it looks like Bator Interna- tional, inc. is now embarking on a new path as publishers! This on line magazine got its start as a Skype conver- sation between me and my associate, John Thow, while working on the batorinternational.com website. We both agreed that we have so many cool and interesting things going on at Bator International, Inc. that why not put it in print and share it with our friends. To put together an on line magazine that is news worthy and well received is not an easy task as it takes a multi- tude of talents, some of which we never knew we pos- sessed, working hard to bring everything together. The “brain trust” of our company is without a doubt my wife, Deni. She is the unsung hero and the power behind the thrown. Her editing skills and common sense are con- Publisher / Writer: Editor: Art Director / Content Editor: stantly put to the test while trying to make a sensible read Glenn Bator Deni Bator John Thow out of my ramblings. John Thow, on the other hand, is the Issue Contributors: Marilyn Stemp, Margie Siegal, John Lawless man in charge of everything graphic and is quite a talent © Bator International, Inc. 2014 behind the camera as well as in front of the computer. For this issue, we have also brought in the talents of research- er/writer Margie Siegal as well as Marilyn Stemp, the former editor of the now defunct Iron Works magazine. I want to personally welcome Mr. John Lawless to our Bator International family. John will be bringing his mul- titude of talents in to assist with the east coast division of Bator International, Inc. John brings to the table a lifelong passion for all things vintage racing as well as his orga- nizing skills for a number of events he is involved with and his extensive knowledge of the market for the British, Euro and Japanese motorcycles. Be sure to check out his bio and press release in this issue. In this second issue, we have several very interesting stories that we hope you will enjoy reading, one of which is about Jimmy “Dare Devil” Washburn’s 1932 Harley David- son VL. I sincerely hope you enjoy our second issue of “Motorcycle Investor Newsletter”, and I want to personally thank you for your interest and support! Enjoy the Ride…. Glenn 2 3 But it was a bike from the Pierce family collection that held all eyes rapt when its turn on the block came. The 1940 Harley-Davidson EL was the subject of an intense bidding war among several clients, both present and via phone and email. When the hammer finally fell the result met with applause and murmurings among the crowd as a new world auction record was set: an astounding $159,000. While the selling prices of these specif- ic machines are impressive, not every motorcycle went for such high stakes. The earliest know example (10th built) of a 1957 H-D XL sold for $25,300 and EK Enterprises shoed an assortment of authentic Evel Knievel a ’56 KHK went for $ 12,650. There was items, not to be fiddled with… considerable variety among the 200 motorcycles on the floor, most of which impressed but some of which went home unsold. Bonham’s final tally for the day was $3.3 million, a 30% increase over last year, they said. See Bonhams website for a 1913 Jefferson Twin. detailed list of every item posted, sold or not. And speaking of Bonhams and motorcycles, plans call for the company to auction a 2013 H-D Super Glide owned by His Holiness Pope Francis. The mo- If the thought of a vintage motorcycle auction brings to mind bow-tied, cigar-smoking gentlemen torcycle, which is being sold for charity, whispering in hushed tones as a hawk-eyed, buttoned-down auctioneer scans the room, think again. was given to Pope Francis in June 2013 Because two auctions held in Las Vegas on the same weekend in January—Bonhams one-day event as part of Harley-Davidson’s 110th Anni- and the Mecum/Mid-America three-day happening—were nothing of the sort. Far from it, in fact. Be- versary celebration. The Pontiff’s sched- cause for the most part, vintage bike enthusiasts are also zealous motorcycle riders, and when bike ule must not offer leisure time for two- 1949 Harley-Davidson EL Twin: $40,000 riders gather just about anytime or anywhere there’s spirited, raucous fun to be had. wheeled touring. My Vegas vacation started on January 9th at Bally’s Hotel and Casino where Bonhams presented As well run and professional as the Bon- their fourth Vegas auction, the second one at this venue. Hats off to them, too, for garnering several hams event was, there was a different high-profile collections this year as well as bringing in a host of intriguing and interesting machines. atmosphere altogether at South Point There was plenty of ground to cover and just one day to do it in, so time was at a premium. Memora- Hotel, Spa and Casino where the Mecum/ bilia items came first to the block, then at noon the motorcycle auction began. Mid-America three-day event got under- way on Thursday. Starting with a preview Centerpieces of the Bonhams event were the Pierce Museum collection of Harley-Davidsons and during the day, the event officially kicked the Silverman Museum’s Ducati racers. Bonhams had also announced beforehand that several bikes off with a Children’s Hospital benefit din- owned by Steve McQueen would be on offer, most notably a 1923 Indian Chief with Princess sidecar ner that evening and an appearance by that had been restored and painted by Von Dutch. It sold for $126,000. A second McQueen bike, a Harley-Davidson family historians Jean 1935 Chief, sold for $80,500 to the same collector who bought the first. Davidson and her son Jon Davidson Olefein. Then the initial round of about From the Silverman collection, a 1978 Ducati NCR in untouched condition sold for $175,500. A 1973 600 rare, antique and classic motorcy- Ducati 750 Super Sport “Green Frame” brought $137,000, and a rare ’54 BMW Rennsport RS54 sold cles started rolling on stage for sale that for $126,000. evening. 4 5 But before reporting on re- Also on site were the father/son duo of Dale and Matt Walksler of Wheels Through Time Museum in sults and logistics, this must Maggie Valley, North Carolina. In addition to manning a vendor space, Matt and Dale were also film- be said: it’s the ambiance, the ing an episode of their highly rated Discovery Velocity Channel program, What’s in the Barn? One of spirit and the enthusiasm that the four motorcycles they put on the block was a 1928 Harley 2 Cam cut down belonging to 92-year- make this event a standout. old Glen Harding. Glen’s intent was to give every penny the bike brought at auction to his church; by In its 23rd iteration (though Sunday afternoon there were smiles all around and Glen’s church was $49,000 richer. only the first since Mecum bought out Mid-America), An old hand at such events, Dale has a studied perspective on them. “Being the first Mecum auction, the Mecum/Mid-America Las this event set itself apart from previous Las Vegas auctions which had been the benchmark in vin- Vegas auction is as much an tage circles for the last 20 years,” he said. “While Mecum brought new buyers, Mid-America’s faithful annual gathering of friends as buyers were there in force, too, showing that confidence continues in the market and enthusiasm is anything else. The camara- strong in the sport and hobby.” derie was palpable as people greeted and jibed, got reac- Of course, there was plenty of serious business to tend to as well, as the auctioneers and staff kept quainted, inspected the ma- the bidding lively and audience interest high, especially when particular motorcycles took center Pope Francis with Harley-Davidson to be auctioned by Bonhams for charity. chines, and reminisced about stage. For Mid-America’s Ron Christenson, several aspects of the weekend stood out. “Several world similar motorcycles owned and record prices were set, and Jean Davidson, granddaughter of Walter Davidson, first president of days gone by. A small cadre Harley-Davidson Motor Company, gave a great talk Thursday evening and related stories all week- of vendors offered art, collect- end,” he said. Ron cited the George Pardos collection as another highlight of the event. Echoing Dale ibles, and good conversation, Walksler, Ron added, “With sales of over $7 million the old motorcycle hobby is alive and well!” adding to the carnival climate and pervasive friendly feeling. Speaking of the George Pardos Collection, it included 20 compelling Harley-Davidsons, from a 1911 Sure, we came for the auction Twin to a 1965 FL. Eighteen of the motorcycles hammer sold with five of them landing in the top 10 but we also came to visit with in sales. Pardos’ 1911 Harley-Davidson 7D Twin gaveled at $260,000 claiming its predicted spot as friends, support the sport and the highest dollar sale of the auction. A 1936 El Knucklehead came in at an unprecedented $165,000. do a bit of good in the process.