MOTO OUTLOOK VINTAGE VIBES IN VEGAS After a one-year-only relocation away from from Southpoint in Las Vegas, due to RON CHRISTENSON Ron began his auction career with ITT- Kruse International as auction coordinator in 1983. By 1986, he launched his own company—ACS International Classic Car Auctions. Ron held his first vintage motorcycle auction in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1989, and five years later he partnered with Sandy Doll, rebranding the company as MidAmerica Auctions. today’s all-too-familiar COVID restrictions, Mecum and its countless loyal motorcycle customers are excited to return “home” for the 31st annual vintage and antique motorcycle auction this January 25-29, 2022. As a testament to the consistent success of the Las Vegas event, knowledgeable and passionate collectors continue to entrust Mecum with their finest two-wheeled machines and still return year after year to buy and sell even more of the high-quality and hard-to-find collector cycles they have grown accustomed to finding at this world- class auction event. Private collections have long been a top highlight of the annual Mecum Las Vegas motorcycle auction, and this year’s event will once again feature motorcycles from several major domestic collectors as well as a handful from around the world. A selection of this year’s top collection offerings and their owners are detailed below. DR. J. CRAIG VENTER Dr. Venter, a long-time valued customer, will grace the Mecum stage with the last five motorcycles from his collection. Over the past five years, Mecum has sold several of Dr. Venter’s quality motorcycles to very pleased buyers. “Several years ago, I had a chance to purchase a 100-point 1963 Triumph Bonneville, and that started my collection,” he explained. “I decided it’s time to sell the final five motorcycles from the six bikes remaining in my collection,” he continued, noting that he will keep his first purchase–the 1963 Bonneville. “I truly feel I kept the best until the end. These five bikes are truly the ones I will miss the most. I can only hope that they will be appreciated as much as I have enjoyed them, for their history and uniqueness.” Centering the collection on vintage Harley-Davidsons, Indians and British bikes, Dr. Venter’s collection at one time featured 35 motorcycles ranging from the 1910s into the 1960s. The five he will be offering at the upcoming Mecum Las Vegas auction will be a 1931 Henderson Four Cylinder, 1935 Indian Four Cylinder, 1936 Harley-Davidson EL Knucklehead, 1946 Indian Chief and a 1951 Vincent Black Shadow. Viewing these motorcycles and reading their history will make it clear why they are the last to leave his ownership. “Due to my requirements to have all the bikes in top condition, I have only what one full-time mechanic can manage to keep serviced and ready to go.” Because of this policy, the bikes of Dr. Venter’s collection have been shown in several concours events, but he likes to remind that all of his bikes are kept in running condition in case he should ever want to take a ride. HOWARD SHAPIRO Howard Shapiro will offer 20 motorcycles from his personal collection as he continues to pare down his ownership of collectible machines, an assemblage known as the Northern California Superbike Collection. Shapiro has become known for offering desirable Japanese and Italian marques, and this year will be no different with 12 from those two countries, plus eight more with U.S. and German heritage. 64 // MECUM.COM
