The King of Cool’s Motorcycle Is for Sale

Steve McQueen's favorite dirtbike is for sale. Not that it matters, because you can't afford it.

The 1971 Husqvarna Cross 400 that the King of Cool flogged, sans shirt, on the cover of Sports Illustrated hits the block at the high-falutin' Quail Motorcycle Gathering in May. Auction house Bonhams & Butterfields insists it's the real deal and includes "authentic documentation," not to mention a trunkful of trophies, to back it up. According to Bonhams, Chad McQueen says the Husky was his father's favorite off-road ride.

Bonhams, which auctioned McQueen's awesome Porsche 908/2 a few years ago, hasn't said what it thinks the bike will go for. A 400 Cross in good shape is worth a few grand, but you can bet this one will bring several times that. As our friends at Hell for Leather note, a Triumph once owned by Steve McQueen brought $84,000 in 2009.

Above: McQueen, as he and the bike appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated in August, 1971. Photo: Heinz Kluetmeier / Sports Illustrated - Getty Images via Bonhams.

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BSA Gold Star Motorcycle 1938–1963

Few clubman racers have enjoyed the success or reputation of the “Goldie”. The range was produced in trial, scramble, touring and racing versions. The 500cc engine developed up to 40bhp at just over 7000rpm through a close ration gearbox. Top speed was around 110mph in full clubman trim. Most coveted of all the “Goldies” was the 499cc model DBD 34.

If you would like to find out more about the classic BSA Gold Star Motorcycle art featured in this guide please click here.

September 14, 2010 - Posted by artofwheels | BSA Motorcycles | 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s Classic Motor Cycle, BSA Gold Star Motorcycle 1938–1963, History of the Motorcycle, Old Motor Bike, vintage motorbike

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BSA A10 Golden Flash Motorcycle 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961

The use of an all over finish of pale golden beige produced what many BSA enthusiasts feel is the most handsome BSA of all, the appropriately named Golden Flash. The 646cc overhead valve vertical-twin engine was the work of Bert Hopwood, though based on an earlier Bert Perkins design with a single camshaft situated at the rear of the cylinder block. A main stay of their vertical-twin range for several years, the A10, was developed for the USA and became a forerunner of the Rocket series which culminated in the Rocket Gold Star of the early 1960s.

If you would like to find out more about the classic BSA A10 Golden Flash Motorcycle art featured in this guide please click here.

September 14, 2010 - Posted by artofwheels | BSA Motorcycles | 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1960s, 1961 1950s, BSA A10 Golden Flash Motorcycle 1950s, classic motor cycle, History of the Motorcycle, Old Motor Bike, vintage motorbike

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BSA B31 Motorcycle 1950s

If there was one product that typified all that was so right and good about the British motor cycle industry then surely it was BSA’s over-engineered 350cc single-cylinder B31. The new B31 was the first to resurface after the war and constituted the “promise of good times to come”, which had been the company’s slogan while the fighting was on. Good for over 70mph and 75mpg, the workhorse B31 was hugely successful for BSA. It was their first machine to use telescopic forks and with its bigger brother the B33 (499cc), made up the backbone of the BSA singles range throughout the 1950s.

If you would like to find out more about the classic BSA B31 Motorcycle 1950s art featured in this guide please click here.

September 14, 2010 - Posted by artofwheels | BSA Motorcycles | 1950s, BSA B31 Motorcycle, classic motor cycle, History of the Motorcycle, Old Motor Bike, vintage motorbike

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