A 1972 Husqvarna 250cc motocrosser linked to Steve McQueen’s production company is scheduled for auction at the Bonhams Autumn Stafford Sale on October 11, carrying a pre-sale estimate of £30,000 to £50,000 without reserve, according to auction listings.
The McQueen Husqvarna Provenance and Estimates
The motorcycle is part of "The Connoisseurs’ Collection, Part IV" at the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show, according to Bonhams. Built for the United States market, the machine retains its original warranty disclaimer and vehicle type approval stickers, and is described as apparently unrestored, according to auction records. It features "G.P. Winning Replica" decals bearing the signature of Heikki Mikkola, the Finnish rider who won four World Motocross Championships with Husqvarna.
According to auction documentation, surviving paperwork tying the machine directly to McQueen’s company, Solar Productions, is held in a private collection and will not be included in the sale. Because of this, prospective bidders have been advised by Bonhams to make their own assessments of the machine’s significance prior to placing bids. Don Ince, custodian of the Edison Dye archive and a recognized authority on early Husqvarna motorcycles, suggested the machine may have passed to director Sam Peckinpah after the 1972 filming of The Getaway, though no documentary evidence supports that theory, according to event reports.
Comparing Past McQueen Motorcycle Sales
Earlier sales of McQueen-associated Husqvarnas have commanded significantly higher prices when accompanied by robust paper trails. According to past auction records covered by MCN, a 1971 Husqvarna 400 Cross sold for $186,500 in 2022 with a certificate of authenticity and a 1984 bill of sale from the Steve McQueen Estate Auction. Another 1971 400 Cross described as the best known of McQueen’s Husqvarnas sold for $144,500 in 2011, backed by a bill of sale proving direct purchase by Solar Productions.
By contrast, the unreserved estimate of £30,000 to £50,000 for the 250cc model reflects the absence of a continuous, public paper trail connecting McQueen to specific competitive events.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 1972 Husqvarna 250cc auction taking place?
The motorcycle will be sold on October 11 during the Bonhams Autumn Stafford Sale at the Staffordshire County Showground, as part of the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show.
What is the auction estimate for the ex-Steve McQueen Husqvarna?
The lot carries an estimated value of £30,000 to £50,000 and will be sold without reserve.
Is the original documentation included in the sale?
No. Surviving documentation linking the bike to Solar Productions is held in a private collection and is not offered alongside the machine, according to Bonhams.
Who signed the decals on the motorcycle?
The machine features decals bearing the signature of Heikki Mikkola, a Finnish rider who secured four World Motocross Championships with Husqvarna.
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