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Steve McQueen Husqvarna – Bonhams Quail Motorcycle 2011

Steve McQueen - Sports IllustratedBonhams will hold their Quail Motorcycle Gathering 2011 auction on May 14th at Quail Lodge in Carmel, California, headlined by what is understood to be the very motorcycle featured on the front cover of the August 1971 issue of Sports Illustrated being ridden by Steve McQueen.
The 1971 Husqvarna 400 was originally purchased from the Steve McQueen Estate Sale in 1984 at Harrah’s Auto Collection in Las Vegas. In addition to its title of former owner, authentic documentation and immortal association, the Swedish-made dirt bike – which son Chad McQueen reportedly said was his father’s favorite off-road brand – comes with a wooden trunk of accessories as owned by McQueen. Other McQueen ephemera will be offered at the sale including numerous racing trophies won by this legend of the silver screen.
Last year’s sale at Quail Lodge saw a rare 1910 Royal Pioneer Single sell for $92,000, the only known surviving 1914 Flanders Model D Twin – formerly owned by L.A. newspaper scion Otis Chandler – go for $78,200, and a pristinely restored 1913 Flying Merkel Single Board Track Racer sell for $64,975, to name just a few. Additionally, bikes of pedigree were on offer, including the ex-Rody Rodenberg factory-modified 1940 Triumph T100 Tiger Competition and a 1972 Harley-Davidson XR 750 TT, famous as the model that legend Cal Rayborn used to vanquish many a competitor.
Sellers interested in consigning a motorcycle to this mid-May auction can call 415-391-4000 or e-mail usacars@bonhams.com.
[Source: Bonhams; photo credit: © Sports Illustrated]