By any measure, this year's edition of the Monterey Classic Bike Auction, which took place July 21-22during MotoGP week, made a quantum leap from its quite respectable 2005 debut. As evening settled in and the blisteringdaytime temps at Laguna Seca cooled, the action continued at the second annual event, which saw particularly strongresults for road race offerings amongst a host of other ultra-collectiblesin mint, as-raced, or begging-to-be-restored condition.
Both this '05 Jordan Suzuki...
Both this '05 Jordan Suzuki ridden by Jason Pridmore and itscustom-built street-legal twin went to the same husband-and-wifebid team. Note the tank graphics memorializing Michael Jordan'sfirst 20 years in the public eye. The massive tented pavilion adjacent to Fisherman's Wharf waspacked for the highly anticipated appearance of Capirossi's SepangwinningDesmo, which garnered bids of over $200,000 before beingrolled off unsold. However, new owners of other pristine machineswere abundant. Jordan Suzuki's '05 AMA Superstock racer and itsidentical street-legal twin were snapped up as a his-and-hers pair by anecstatic Bay Area couple. The "Paul Smart 1000 Limited Edition"Ducati found a new home, as did the '79 BMW made race-ready byReg Pridmore and put through its paces in the early `80s Battle of theTwins events before being exhibited at the AMA's American HeritageMuseum.
Other MCBA '06 highlights included successful bids for a '76 YamahaTZ750C in flawless condition courtesy of a Steven Wright restoration, andfor a screaming yellow 2001 Ducati 748RS put on the block by WendellPhillips, who then donated the proceeds to help support the recovery ofLockhart Phillips Team Privateer Manager Aaron Lephart, who wasseriously injured in an April motorcycle crash near Palm Springs.National Powersport Auctions provided world champion auctioneers, abulletproof tracking system, and even a free downloadable softwareprogram that enabled to Internet bidders to participate in real time via livesimulcast. The result was often interesting, as onsite buyers weresuddenly confronted by raised stakes from a competing bidder sitting infront of some distant computer screen.
Those onsite at the event were treated to first-hand vehicle descriptionsby such industry luminaries as Mert Lawwill, Gary Nixon, Mitch Boehm,Steve Huntzinger, Troy Lee, and Jesse Rooke, whose custom-built X-1garnered a whopping $80,000 on Saturday night. Other familiar facesdotted the capacity crowd. Jeff Ray, from the legendary Barber Museumin Alabama, was an active bidder, winning a '98 Bimota Trofeo Factoryrace bike, possibly the last ever produced. Vintage Iron's Rick Doughtywas also an active participant this year and reported having a positiveexperience.
"The Monterey Classic Bike Auction is hands-down the best motorcycleauction I have attended and holds the potential to become the Barrett/Jackson equivalent for motorcycles," commentedDoughty. "The MCBA team has put the `class' back in classic bike auctions with their high standards and attention to detail.This was my first year attending as a seller, buyer and spectator and it's already on my 2007 calendar of must-do events."
Details are being firmed up now for MCBA 2007, and those interested in staying informed need only send an email toauction@resmarket.com to receive news and updates. Meantime, look for complete auction results to be available online inmid-August at www.montereyclassicbikeauction.com.