Winter dreaming

[norton73]

Winter is the time to think about what the spring could bring, nice sunny weather, maybe even a new ride or adventure. The winter Las Vegas auctions are an interesting hunting ground for cool old bikes, too bad I can't really afford any of them.

One of the bikes that has really caught my attention is this Vincent Hill Climber.

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/25835/lot/168/?category=list&length=127&page=1

"Given their five-star status as collectible classics today, many Vincents now lead cosseted lives, but it wasn't always that way. This elongated hard-scrabble Rapide racer, for example, was purchased as a $50 junker in the late 1950s and constantly modified over the next 20 years to deliver five national hillclimb championships, making it one of the most successful Vincent racers ever."

[norton73]

Another bike I will be watching is this Crocker;

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/25835/lot/180/


While Crockers are cool and rare bikes, my interest in this one is because I am an acquaintance of the owner. I worked with and rode Nortons with a couple of guys who went to high school with him. I went to his home many years ago, he had this Crocker in boxes at the time, he also has a bunch of Indians he collected over the years. The sale of this bike should fund a bunch of his projects, 50s cars, Indians, etc.

This bike was at Barber last year, it was in the auction. Bidding stalled at just over $400K, it failed to meet reserve.

[norton73]

Start your own dreaming here;

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/25835/?bid_lot_no=5349295#/MR0_page=1&MR0_length=127&MR0_category=list&m0=0

[norton73]

Also starting next week is the Las Vegas Mecum Auction. 

Considering there were only 400 1974 Ducati 750SS built, it's amazing that there are 4 for sale next week.

https://www.mecum.com/search/page/2/


Another of my dream bikes, but these days with values over $150K, way out of my reach.