Steve McQueen owned some 400 motorcycles. I've had more than my share over several decades, so I know that you can only devote so much time to each machine — and I'm not a busy movie star and amateur racer, with an additional few hundred cars in the stable (who lived only 50 years). So, how much hands-on interaction, if any, Steve had with a given machine is questionable. The McQueen estate has attached his name to many, many vehicles and memorabilia over the years and we've watched them cross the auction block with some pretty astounding dollars attached to them. Here's the latest: Last month this 1969 Honda CB750 "sandcast" sold on a Bring A Trailer online auction for $155,000.
The so-called sandcast models were the first 7414 produced for the 1969 model year, all later bikes would use die-cast engine molds. As a relatively rare "thing" for such a historically important motorcycle, these early bikes understandably have a higher collector value. That value has steadily increased over the years, now at about $40,000 for an original or well-done restoration. So, we again see the magic of the McQueen mystique. This particular example has ownership documentation but was subsequently purchased from McQueen's production company in 1971, so his was a short-term affair. Additionally, this bike has had a full restoration so any originality is gone beyond the engine and frame numbers.
Value is not real, it is a perceived reality. Value can't be touched or quantified, it can only be felt. Purchases like this are made from emotional or investment considerations and a McQueen vehicle combines the two. To the fortunate few, money is a secondary consideration, simply the price of acquisition. $155,000 to those folks is probably like $5000 to most of us — it's just not a big deal, and as long as Steve McQueen's name continues to add value, the "investment" dollars are safe. Well sold.
The so-called sandcast models were the first 7414 produced for the 1969 model year, all later bikes would use die-cast engine molds. As a relatively rare "thing" for such a historically important motorcycle, these early bikes understandably have a higher collector value. That value has steadily increased over the years, now at about $40,000 for an original or well-done restoration. So, we again see the magic of the McQueen mystique. This particular example has ownership documentation but was subsequently purchased from McQueen's production company in 1971, so his was a short-term affair. Additionally, this bike has had a full restoration so any originality is gone beyond the engine and frame numbers.
Value is not real, it is a perceived reality. Value can't be touched or quantified, it can only be felt. Purchases like this are made from emotional or investment considerations and a McQueen vehicle combines the two. To the fortunate few, money is a secondary consideration, simply the price of acquisition. $155,000 to those folks is probably like $5000 to most of us — it's just not a big deal, and as long as Steve McQueen's name continues to add value, the "investment" dollars are safe. Well sold.
Speaking of CB750s, here's a favorite video of mine. This amazing 5-minute time-lapse film shows Sam Roberts' restoration of a sandcast CB750. Enjoy.
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