Steve McQueen's 1931 Harley-Davidson sells for $75,000 at auction

A 1931 Harley-Davidson once owned by Steve McQueen has sold for $75,000 on Bring a Trailer, proving that when it comes to motorcycles with genuine Hollywood provenance, condition isn't always the deciding factor.

The Harley-Davidson VL crossed the virtual auction block as a non-running project, but arrived with the sort of ownership history collectors dream about. Documentation included with the sale traced the bike back to McQueen's personal collection, helping it reach a final bid of $75,000 before fees.

According to the listing, the bike was sitting in McQueen's private hangar and garage in Ventura County awaiting restoration when the actor died in 1980. It was later acquired by noted McQueen memorabilia collector Mike Eisenberg, who carried out a cosmetic refurbishment while leaving the bike mechanically unrestored.

Power comes from Harley-Davidson's 74 cubic-inch side-valve V-twin, paired with a hand-shifted three-speed gearbox and Linkert carburettor. It wears period-correct black paint with red and gold coachlines, while original features including the springer fork, valanced mudguards, fishtail exhaust and sprung solo saddle have all been retained.

Despite its appearance, the auction listing made it clear the engine does not currently run, with corrosion visible on a number of components. For most buyers, that would significantly affect the value, but motorcycles with a documented link to McQueen rarely come to market.

Also included in the sale was a framed certificate of authenticity from the Steve McQueen estate auction, signed by his son Chad and daughter Terry, together with the original auction paperwork, a display placard and a 1931 California licence plate.

While $75,000 isn't the highest figure ever paid for one of McQueen's motorcycles, it underlines the enduring appeal of anything connected to the actor, whose reputation as one of motorcycling's biggest enthusiasts remains as strong today as it was during his lifetime.

For the new owner, the next decision is whether to preserve the Harley exactly as it is or finally give it the restoration McQueen never had the chance to complete.

Images: Bring A Trailer

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