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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gooding & Company Consigns the World’s Oldest Bentley and A Superior Motorcycle Owned by Steve McQueen and Von Dutch.
Bentley’s Oldest Surviving Production Car, Chassis 3, and an Ex-Steve McQueen and Von Dutch Brough Superior Motorcycle
Join Gooding & Company’s Pebble Beach Auctions, August 20 & 21
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (June 14, 2011) – Gooding & Company, the world’s leading auction house for collectors of rare and exceptional vehicles, is thrilled to announce two Pebble Beach Auctions consignments: Chassis 3, the oldest surviving production Bentley in existence, and a 1931 Brough Superior motorcycle once the personal property of both legendary icon Steve McQueen and prolific motorcycle and custom car artist Von Dutch.
“We’re delighted to present extraordinary collector examples of two renowned British marques, the 1921 Bentley Chassis 3 and McQueen’s beloved 1931 Brough Superior SS80, at our Pebble Beach Auctions,” says David Gooding, President and founder of Gooding & Company. “Both the Bentley and Brough Superior represent special opportunities for collectors who value provenance, historical significance and authenticity.”
Chassis 3, the Oldest Surviving Production Bentley. One of the most important Bentleys in existence, this 1921 Bentley 3 Litre was the first
customer car to leave the Bentley factory. Chassis 3 is an extraordinary, matching-numbers
car with brass brightwork and an original aluminum body with fully disappearing top as
specified by the first owner. It’s participation in Vintage Bentley rallies, and many other
recent events, attests to the car’s usability. Chassis 3 is a special addition to Gooding &
Company’s Pebble Beach Auctions this August, and its estimate is available on request.
1931 Brough Superior SS80, a Legendary Motorcycle Owned by the Legend Himself
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Photos by Pawel Litwinski Copyright 2011 Courtesy of Gooding
and Company
Of the hundreds of motorcycles Steve McQueen personally owned, this extraordinary pre-war SS80 was one of his personal favorites. It was also McQueen’s only Brough Superior, a historically significant, high-performance British motorcycle marque made famous by World War I British army officer T.E. Lawrence, otherwise known as Lawrence of Arabia, who for many years had been a major proponent of the motorcycles.
Purchased in the 1970s and for some time thereafter, McQueen shared the Brough Superior SS80 with his close friend and renowned artist Von Dutch. Bound by their
appreciation for this beloved motorcycle, the two legendary enthusiasts shared the SS80
between them throughout their lives and agreed that whoever passed away first would
bequeath the bike to the other.
The motorcycle exists today in wonderful, unrestored condition. The ex-McQueen and
Von Dutch 1931 Brough Superior SS80 will be presented at Gooding & Company’s
Pebble Beach Auctions along with a letter of authenticity written by Steve’s son, Chad
McQueen. Its estimate is $100,000 - $200,000 and it will be offered without reserve.
The 2011 Pebble Beach Auctions will take place on Saturday and Sunday, August 20 & 21 at
the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center, located at the corner of Portola Road and Stevenson
Drive. Preview days will start on Wednesday, August 17 continuing through Sunday, August 21. The auctions will commence at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. Gooding
& Company’s Pebble Beach Auctions catalogues are available for $100 and admit two to the
viewing and the auctions. General admission tickets to the viewing and auctions may be purchased on site for $40. Auctions are broadcast live from Gooding & Company’s website
on www.goodingco.com/auction. Bidder registration forms, press credentials and additional
auction information are also available on http://www.goodingco.com or by calling (310) 899-1960.
For additional vehicle information and up-to-the-minute results, follow Gooding & Company on Facebook and Twitter @GoodingCompany.
About Gooding & Company Gooding & Company, internationally celebrated for its world-class automotive auctions,
provides unparalleled service in the collector car market, offering a wide range of services
including private and estate sales, appraisals and collection management. At its Scottsdale and Amelia Island collector car auctions earlier this year, Gooding & Company realized more
than $52.85 million in combined auction sales while achieving 18 world records from 191
sold lots of 214 presented. In 2010, Gooding & Company was responsible for selling the
world’s top three most valuable cars at auction that year and setting ten world records.
www.goodingco.com.
CONTACT:
Katie Hellwig
Gooding & Company
(310) 526-0584
Katie@goodingco.com