1960 and ’59 Triumph 120s upcoming at Mecum

Between their recent Kissimmee success and continuing efforts at Monterey, we’ve been guessing around the Hemmings offices about what Mecum’s next move would be. Would they muscle (ha) their way into Scottsdale? Stake out another concours as their own? Acquire another auction company to get access to new markets? Launch an overseas sale? Surprisingly, they announced today that they’re starting a motorcycle division.

The bike world has not in the past lent itself to the sort of multiday, megascale auctions that are common with old cars. Bikes sell for less, on average, and there’s a smaller pool of both collectors and auctionable bikes; but it costs just as much to set up the auction. So aside from a small number of well-established sales from Bonhams, MidAmerica, Mecum themselves and a few others, what you get are annual events and occasional one-offs.

Thus, Mecum’s stated mission is more than just selling bikes; they want to raise awareness of the entire old-bike hobby, and they’ve recruited a big name to spearhead the division, Gavin Trippe. Trippe has recently been a big player in the collector-motorcycle auction world, including helping with Mecum’s previous bike efforts, but is best known as a world-class racer and later AMA promoter.

They have two bike auctions planned for 2011, Indianapolis, May 17-22; and at the Monterey Auction, August 18-20. Full press release follows after the jump.

Industry-leading auction company Mecum Auctions has demonstrated its expertise in bringing buyers and sellers together for more than two decades.  Now, that passion has expanded into another market niche as Mecum launches its new motorcycle division to offer significant consignments for the collector motorcycle industry.

Mecum’s motorcycle division, led by American Motorcyclist Association Hall of Famer Gavin Trippe, will consign and market world-class collector motorcycles during upcoming auctions, including Dana Mecum’s 24th Annual Original Spring Classic Auction, May 17-22, in Indianapolis, Ind. and the Monterey Auction, Aug. 18-20, in Monterey, Calif.

“The motorcycle fraternity has been largely ignored in the current auction market, but now there will be a major platform to expose rare and valuable bikes to collectors,” said Trippe.  “The beauty of collecting bikes is that five bikes can occupy the same space as one car and you can ride many of them, or even hang one on the wall of a ‘man cave’ or corporate office!  Even the most expensive motorcycles can be affordable and serve as great investments.  I am excited to work with Dana Mecum, an avid collector himself, and commit 100% to this new Mecum division.”

A legendary motocross and road race promoter, Trippe brings more than 45 years of motorcycle knowledge to the Mecum team.  He previously organized and executed the 2006 and 2007 Monterey Classic Bike Auctions, having worked with many of the top collectors both in the U.S. and Europe.  Trippe also helped with such collections as The Otis Chandler Collection and the famed Barber Motorsports Vintage Museum in Alabama, home of one of the best collections in the world.

With the launch of this new division, motorcycle collectors can expect to see noteworthy American and European motorcycles of all kinds cross the Mecum auction block throughout 2011.  Contact Gavin Trippe at gavin@mecum.com to consign your classic motorcycle today.

For additional information about Mecum Auctions, visit www.Mecum.com or call 815-568-8888.