Over the years, Audree said Barry built up a collection of about 35 Harley-Davidsons, 26 of which will be crossing the block in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, Audree said Barry was so busy with the business that he never really got a chance to enjoy them, with his retirement soon being interrupted by an MDS diagnosis and the ensuing treatment. Before succumbing to his illness in August 2021, Audree said Barry made a specific request to her: to make sure each of the kids received a bike from his collection and to get in touch with Mecum regarding selling the rest. “One of our last conversations was ‘Get ahold of Mecum; get ahold of Kathy Barlow, and sell everything,’” she said. “I got home and I looked on our DVR, and he must have had 28, maybe more, episodes of Mecum recorded. He used to stay up all night and watch them. So, it is just so right that I’m doing this; I’m doing what Barry would have wanted.” Among the motorcycles slated for the Las Vegas auction are a slew of interesting and rare pieces, one of which is a 1920 Harley-Davidson once campaigned by board track racer Dewey Sims. “It’s his actual bike, and it looks like it’s been raced,” she said. “For years and years, that was in our bedroom, and when we moved, it finally went into his office. That was his baby. He was so proud of that. It’s a one-of-a-kind.” Audree said Barry was also quite proud of the award bikes he won, a pair of 1983 Harley-Davidson dealer-award bikes that are also set to join the Brown Family Collection in Las Vegas. “Back then, they always did incentives where if you won, you got a trip to Hawaii or something like that,” she said. “We once won a trip to Alaska where we went on a helicopter ride with Willie G. and Nancy (Davidson) and then went dog- sledding on a glacier. It was crazy.” In this specific instance, Audree said they had a choice between the bike and a “trip of a lifetime,” and while Barry actually won the incentive in two different categories (the only dealer to do so, meaning he received two prizes), Barry had the foresight to take the two bikes. “He said, ‘We can go on a trip anytime. You can’t buy the bike.’” With fewer than 100 of the limited-edition, dealer- award bikes produced, Audree said she certainly understands Barry’s reasoning for taking two, tucking them away and never riding them. Barry’s collecting foresight is evident throughout the collection, with various Harley-Davidsons ranging from a 1912 Harley-Davidson Twin and a first-year example of the belt-drive 1980 Harley-Davidson Sturgis FXB that is believed to be the only one in the world with 0 miles on the odometer, to a 1954 Harley-Davidson FL, a 1928 Harley-Davidson FHAC Twin and much, much more. For bidders in Las Vegas this January, the Brown Family Collection presents an opportunity to lay hands on some truly beautiful Harley-Davidsons, and it’s one that Harley-Davidson enthusiasts aren’t going to want to miss. 96 // MECUM.COM
