A gorgeous 1914 Indian Model F racing motorcycle owned by Hollywood icon Steve McQueen is now up for auction at Bonhams' International Classic MotorCycle Show in Stafford, England, this month. The auction will be held on April 28.
A lightweight motorcycle that once participated in board track racing on highly banked wooden velodromes, Steve McQueen's 1914 Indian Model F featured the famous Hedstrom engine with an inlet over exhaust valve configuration. A powerful setup, the Hedstrom engine was also prone to wear due to its complicated engine design. Despite the fussy engine, the 1914 Indian Model F was a simple motorcycle without a clutch, gearbox, or brakes. The 1914 Indian Model F is capable of reaching 100 mph, staggering speeds for a 100-year-old motorcycle.
"The men who raced these early board-track motorcycles were not only pioneers and champions of early motor racing but must also have been incredibly brave," said Bonhams motorcycle department head Ben Walker. "In this age of health and safety the idea of riding at up to 100 mph with no helmet or protective clothing, knowing you have no way of stopping in a hurry, is a terrifying thought."
While a 1914 Indian Model F may possess racing heritage and belong to an interesting era, it is hardly the rarest of the 242 motorcycles set to cross the Bonhams auction block. Speculators expect the 1914 Indian Model F to fetch somewhere from £22,000 to £28,000, or $33,576 to $42,732. That said, experts admit that this particular Model F is a bit of a wild card due to its connection with Steve "The King of Cool" McQueen.
Case in point, a vintage Gulf racing suit worn by Steve McQueen for the cult film "Le Mans" was auctioned in California for the cool sum of $800,000. After fees and taxes, the total exceeds $980,000.
With the exception of an automobile, Steve McQueen's racing suit is regarded as one of the most expensive pieces of racing memorabilia ever sold.
If McQueen's racing suit can command that sort of money, certainly McQueen's own 1914 Indian Model F racing bike will do extremely well too.
Be sure to learn more about the 1914 Indian Model F owned by Steve McQueen here.
A great actor, Steve McQueen was also an avid motorcyclist and racing driver. Times were simpler when McQueen was alive. Be sure to check out how McQueen rides in the motorcycle documentary "On Any Sunday."
