WHAT: In a packed Las Vegas ballroom sale of vintage motorcycles early this year, collectors set a world record for a motorcycle at auction when a 1951 Vincent 998cc Black Lightning sold for $929,000.
In original condition, the British-made bike was, in collector-speak, βfive owners from new.β One was Jack Ehret, an Australian racer who won numerous prizes on it.
One of about 33 made, available only by special order and fabulously expensive at the time, the model was a precursor of the modern superbike. Most notably, in 1953 the Black Lightning smashed the existing Australian speed record when Ehret achieved an average speed of 141.5 mph.
MORE: According to Bonhams, the Black Lightning production cycle is the most wanted production motorcycle. Only 19 matching number Lightnings are believed to exist. This one had been faithfully rebuilt, but not cosmetically restored, by a known restorer. The difference is a fine point vital to purists.
HOT TIP: Prepare for purple prose as you read the text in a motorcycle sale catalog. Written in the same manner as high-end auto collector catalogs, the style seems to be loved by gearheads.
BOTTOM LINE: The drama of a technically advanced British-made and Aussie-raced historically important machine, built in limited quantities by a prestige maker and still rare, fueled the high result.
