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Motorcycles

Unrestored 109-year-old motorcycle sets auction record at $225,000 – still looks brand new

By Mike Hanlon
July 15, 2020
Unrestored 109-year-old motorcycle sets auction record at $225,000 – still looks brand new
This 1911 Pierce Arrow 696cc four-cylinder is now the most expensive Pierce motorcycle to sell at auction. Despite a shine that suggests new paint, this bike retains the original paint with which it left the showroom 109 years ago. Sold by Mecum Auctions, Sunday, 12 July 2020 for $225,500 including buyers premium
This 1911 Pierce Arrow 696cc four-cylinder is now the most expensive Pierce motorcycle to sell at auction. Despite a shine that suggests new paint, this bike retains the original paint with which it left the showroom 109 years ago. Sold by Mecum Auctions, Sunday, 12 July 2020 for $225,500 including buyers premium
View 18 Images
The 1911 Pierce Arrow used a 696cc four-cylinder engine that was loosely based on the Belgian FN four. The uses a T-head side-valve design and offered complete reliability, even running at its 60 mph top speed. Sold by Mecum Auctions, Sunday, 12 July 2020 for $225,500 including buyers premium
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The 1911 Pierce Arrow used a 696cc four-cylinder engine that was loosely based on the Belgian FN four. The uses a T-head side-valve design and offered complete reliability, even running at its 60 mph top speed. Sold by Mecum Auctions, Sunday, 12 July 2020 for $225,500 including buyers premium
This 1911 Pierce Arrow 696cc four-cylinder is now the most expensive Pierce motorcycle to sell at auction. Despite a shine that suggests new paint, this bike retains the original paint with which it left the showroom 109 years ago. Sold by Mecum Auctions, Sunday, 12 July 2020 for $225,500 including buyers premium
2/18
This 1911 Pierce Arrow 696cc four-cylinder is now the most expensive Pierce motorcycle to sell at auction. Despite a shine that suggests new paint, this bike retains the original paint with which it left the showroom 109 years ago. Sold by Mecum Auctions, Sunday, 12 July 2020 for $225,500 including buyers premium
This 1911 Pierce Arrow 696cc four-cylinder is now the most expensive Pierce motorcycle to sell at auction. Despite a shine that suggests new paint, this bike retains the original paint with which it left the showroom 109 years ago. Sold by Mecum Auctions, Sunday, 12 July 2020 for $225,500 including buyers premium
3/18
This 1911 Pierce Arrow 696cc four-cylinder is now the most expensive Pierce motorcycle to sell at auction. Despite a shine that suggests new paint, this bike retains the original paint with which it left the showroom 109 years ago. Sold by Mecum Auctions, Sunday, 12 July 2020 for $225,500 including buyers premium
This 1911 Pierce Arrow 696cc four-cylinder is now the most expensive Pierce motorcycle to sell at auction. Despite a shine that suggests new paint, this bike retains the original paint with which it left the showroom 109 years ago. Sold by Mecum Auctions, Sunday, 12 July 2020 for $225,500 including buyers premium
4/18
This 1911 Pierce Arrow 696cc four-cylinder is now the most expensive Pierce motorcycle to sell at auction. Despite a shine that suggests new paint, this bike retains the original paint with which it left the showroom 109 years ago. Sold by Mecum Auctions, Sunday, 12 July 2020 for $225,500 including buyers premium
This 1911 Pierce Arrow 696cc four-cylinder is now the most expensive Pierce motorcycle to sell at auction. Despite a shine that suggests new paint, this bike retains the original paint with which it left the showroom 109 years ago. Sold by Mecum Auctions, Sunday, 12 July 2020 for $225,500 including buyers premium
5/18
This 1911 Pierce Arrow 696cc four-cylinder is now the most expensive Pierce motorcycle to sell at auction. Despite a shine that suggests new paint, this bike retains the original paint with which it left the showroom 109 years ago. Sold by Mecum Auctions, Sunday, 12 July 2020 for $225,500 including buyers premium
This 1911 Pierce Arrow 696cc four-cylinder is now the most expensive Pierce motorcycle to sell at auction. Despite a shine that suggests new paint, this bike retains the original paint with which it left the showroom 109 years ago. Sold by Mecum Auctions, Sunday, 12 July 2020 for $225,500 including buyers premium
6/18
This 1911 Pierce Arrow 696cc four-cylinder is now the most expensive Pierce motorcycle to sell at auction. Despite a shine that suggests new paint, this bike retains the original paint with which it left the showroom 109 years ago. Sold by Mecum Auctions, Sunday, 12 July 2020 for $225,500 including buyers premium
This 1911 Pierce Arrow 696cc four-cylinder is now the most expensive Pierce motorcycle to sell at auction. Despite a shine that suggests new paint, this bike retains the original paint with which it left the showroom 109 years ago. Sold by Mecum Auctions, Sunday, 12 July 2020 for $225,500 including buyers premium
7/18
This 1911 Pierce Arrow 696cc four-cylinder is now the most expensive Pierce motorcycle to sell at auction. Despite a shine that suggests new paint, this bike retains the original paint with which it left the showroom 109 years ago. Sold by Mecum Auctions, Sunday, 12 July 2020 for $225,500 including buyers premium
This 1911 Pierce Arrow 696cc four-cylinder is now the most expensive Pierce motorcycle to sell at auction. Despite a shine that suggests new paint, this bike retains the original paint with which it left the showroom 109 years ago. Sold by Mecum Auctions, Sunday, 12 July 2020 for $225,500 including buyers premium
8/18
This 1911 Pierce Arrow 696cc four-cylinder is now the most expensive Pierce motorcycle to sell at auction. Despite a shine that suggests new paint, this bike retains the original paint with which it left the showroom 109 years ago. Sold by Mecum Auctions, Sunday, 12 July 2020 for $225,500 including buyers premium
This 1911 Pierce Arrow 696cc four-cylinder is now the most expensive Pierce motorcycle to sell at auction. Despite a shine that suggests new paint, this bike retains the original paint with which it left the showroom 109 years ago. Sold by Mecum Auctions, Sunday, 12 July 2020 for $225,500 including buyers premium
9/18
This 1911 Pierce Arrow 696cc four-cylinder is now the most expensive Pierce motorcycle to sell at auction. Despite a shine that suggests new paint, this bike retains the original paint with which it left the showroom 109 years ago. Sold by Mecum Auctions, Sunday, 12 July 2020 for $225,500 including buyers premium
This 1911 Pierce Arrow 696cc four-cylinder is now the most expensive Pierce motorcycle to sell at auction. Despite a shine that suggests new paint, this bike retains the original paint with which it left the showroom 109 years ago. Sold by Mecum Auctions, Sunday, 12 July 2020 for $225,500 including buyers premium
10/18
This 1911 Pierce Arrow 696cc four-cylinder is now the most expensive Pierce motorcycle to sell at auction. Despite a shine that suggests new paint, this bike retains the original paint with which it left the showroom 109 years ago. Sold by Mecum Auctions, Sunday, 12 July 2020 for $225,500 including buyers premium
This 1911 Pierce Arrow 696cc four-cylinder is now the most expensive Pierce motorcycle to sell at auction. Despite a shine that suggests new paint, this bike retains the original paint with which it left the showroom 109 years ago. Sold by Mecum Auctions, Sunday, 12 July 2020 for $225,500 including buyers premium
11/18
This 1911 Pierce Arrow 696cc four-cylinder is now the most expensive Pierce motorcycle to sell at auction. Despite a shine that suggests new paint, this bike retains the original paint with which it left the showroom 109 years ago. Sold by Mecum Auctions, Sunday, 12 July 2020 for $225,500 including buyers premium
This 1911 Pierce Arrow 696cc four-cylinder is now the most expensive Pierce motorcycle to sell at auction. Despite a shine that suggests new paint, this bike retains the original paint with which it left the showroom 109 years ago. Sold by Mecum Auctions, Sunday, 12 July 2020 for $225,500 including buyers premium
12/18
This 1911 Pierce Arrow 696cc four-cylinder is now the most expensive Pierce motorcycle to sell at auction. Despite a shine that suggests new paint, this bike retains the original paint with which it left the showroom 109 years ago. Sold by Mecum Auctions, Sunday, 12 July 2020 for $225,500 including buyers premium
The most expensive Henderson ever sold at auction: $539,000 | 1912 Henderson Four | Mecum Auctions | 27 January 2017
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The most expensive Henderson ever sold at auction: $539,000 | 1912 Henderson Four | Mecum Auctions | 27 January 2017
The most expensive vintage Harley-Davidson motorcycle ever to sell at auction: $715,000 | 1907 Harley-Davidson "Strap Tank" Single | Mecum Auctions| 21 March 2015
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The most expensive vintage Harley-Davidson motorcycle ever to sell at auction: $715,000 | 1907 Harley-Davidson "Strap Tank" Single | Mecum Auctions| 21 March 2015
The most expensive Brough Superior ever to sell at auction: $549,349 | 1930 Brough Superior SS100 | H & H Auctions | 2 March 2019
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The most expensive Brough Superior ever to sell at auction: $549,349 | 1930 Brough Superior SS100 | H & H Auctions | 2 March 2019
The most expensive Vincent ever to sell at auction: $929,000 | 1951 Vincent Black Lightning Series-C | Bonhams | 25 January 2018
16/18
The most expensive Vincent ever to sell at auction: $929,000 | 1951 Vincent Black Lightning Series-C | Bonhams | 25 January 2018
The most expensive Flying Merkel ever to sell at auction: $423,500 | 1911 Flying Merkel board track racer | Mecum | 21 March 2015
17/18
The most expensive Flying Merkel ever to sell at auction: $423,500 | 1911 Flying Merkel board track racer | Mecum | 21 March 2015
The most expensive Crocker ever to sell at auction: $825,000 | 1936 Crocker Small Tank | Mecum Auctions | 17 August 2019
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The most expensive Crocker ever to sell at auction: $825,000 | 1936 Crocker Small Tank | Mecum Auctions | 17 August 2019
View gallery - 18 images

An extraordinary 109-year-old motorcycle that looks new but has never been restored, has sold at auction for US$225,500, setting a new world record price for a Pierce Arrow Four-cylinder motorcycle. The new record once more shows a marked trend towards complete authenticity by the motorcycle collector market, with unrestored motorcycles now fetching higher prices than bikes returned to showroom condition.

The Pierce was America’s first four-cylinder motorcycle, built to unfeasibly high standards that ultimately made it too expensive and led to its demise. Less than 500 were built between 1909 and 1914, they rarely reach auction and when they do, they invariably command high prices.

Recent Pierce Fours to sell at auction have fetched $99,000, $104,500, $115,500, $161,000 (the same bike also sold for $137,000 and $143,354) and the record for the model until a few days ago was $192,500, paid for a 1913 model that had been restored to Concours standards over 40 years and had spent most of its life in the world-renowned MC Collection of Sweden.

The 1911 Pierce Arrow used a 696cc four-cylinder engine that was loosely based on the Belgian FN four. The uses a T-head side-valve design and offered complete reliability, even running at its 60 mph top speed. Sold by Mecum Auctions, Sunday, 12 July 2020 for $225,500 including buyers premium
The 1911 Pierce Arrow used a 696cc four-cylinder engine that was loosely based on the Belgian FN four. The uses a T-head side-valve design and offered complete reliability, even running at its 60 mph top speed. Sold by Mecum Auctions, Sunday, 12 July 2020 for $225,500 including buyers premium

This latest Pierce to reach auction has a remarkable level of originality and authenticity that is almost without peer – the paint still shines like it is near new, but it is the original 109-year-old paint, testimony to the extreme quality of the Pierce marque, also known for producing some of America’s finest pioneer automobiles.

This price further confirms the trend in motorcycle collector circles towards exceptionally original motorcycles. In recent years the highest prices fetched at auction have tended to be unrestored, totally original motorcycles with their original paint.

Some perfect examples of this include:

The most valuable Crocker

The most expensive Crocker ever to sell at auction: $825,000 | 1936 Crocker Small Tank | Mecum Auctions | 17 August 2019
The most expensive Crocker ever to sell at auction: $825,000 | 1936 Crocker Small Tank | Mecum Auctions | 17 August 2019

The most valuable Crocker ever to sell at auction: an unrestored, totally-original 1935 61ci (1000cc) Crocker V-twin.

The most valuable vintage Harley-Davidson

The most expensive vintage Harley-Davidson motorcycle ever to sell at auction: $715,000 | 1907 Harley-Davidson "Strap Tank" Single | Mecum Auctions| 21 March 2015
The most expensive vintage Harley-Davidson motorcycle ever to sell at auction: $715,000 | 1907 Harley-Davidson "Strap Tank" Single | Mecum Auctions| 21 March 2015

The most valuable vintage Harley-Davidson ever to sell at auction: an unrestored, totally-original 1907 Harley-Davidson “strap tank” 440cc single.

The most valuable Flying Merkel

The most expensive Flying Merkel ever to sell at auction: $423,500 | 1911 Flying Merkel board track racer | Mecum | 21 March 2015
The most expensive Flying Merkel ever to sell at auction: $423,500 | 1911 Flying Merkel board track racer | Mecum | 21 March 2015

The most valuable Flying Merkel ever to sell at auction: a 1911 Flying Merkel board track racer that is “as raced” from 100 years ago

The most valuable Vincent

The most expensive Vincent ever to sell at auction: $929,000 | 1951 Vincent Black Lightning Series-C | Bonhams | 25 January 2018
The most expensive Vincent ever to sell at auction: $929,000 | 1951 Vincent Black Lightning Series-C | Bonhams | 25 January 2018

The most valuable Vincent ever to sell at auction: a 1951 Vincent Black Lightning Series-C that is in exactly the same condition as when it set the Australian Land Speed Record at 141.509 mph in 1952.

The most valuable Brough Superior

The most expensive Brough Superior ever to sell at auction: $549,349 | 1930 Brough Superior SS100 | H & H Auctions | 2 March 2019
The most expensive Brough Superior ever to sell at auction: $549,349 | 1930 Brough Superior SS100 | H & H Auctions | 2 March 2019

The most valuable Brough Superior ever to sell at auction: a 1930 Brough Superior SS100 basket case. Such is the quest for authenticity by motorcycle collectors these days, that the purchase of “basket cases” ensures that a motorcycle does not have a mix of more recent reproduction parts.

The most valuable Henderson

The most expensive Henderson ever sold at auction: $539,000 | 1912 Henderson Four | Mecum Auctions | 27 January 2017
The most expensive Henderson ever sold at auction: $539,000 | 1912 Henderson Four | Mecum Auctions | 27 January 2017

The most valuable Henderson ever to sell at auction: when Mecum sold this 1912 Henderson Four in 2017, it retained not only its original paint, but it also wore its original tires. This is truly a time-warp machine of similar longevity and authenticity as the Pierce and Harley Strap Tank mentioned above.

View gallery - 18 images

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MotorcyclesMecumPierce MotorcyclePierce-ArrowCollecting
5 comments
Mike Hanlon
Mike Hanlon
As a photojournalist, Mike’s work has been published in a dozen languages across 20+ countries. He has edited or managed over 75 different print publications, each with a different target audience: sports, automotive, advertising, marketing, design, ad infinitum. Mike has been working in the internet for more than 25 years and was the veteran of five internet start-ups before founding New Atlas in 2002.

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5 comments
Rustgecko
It would be interesting to know the back story: how had it remained in such pristine condition? Where was it stored for the last century? Ownership?
NL4M
I think I could have found better things to do with that $$$
IvanWashington
i wonder whatever became of T.E. Lawrence's Brough Superior?
alexD
NL$M - I agree 100%.... i can't understand the fascination with old vehicles, old buildings.. let them be - evolution happens; money would be better spend on improving the lives of the living.
buzzclick
Thanks to these excellent shots of this most beautiful bike from NA, I studied the details...shaft drive? The rear brake works with a leather-link strap in the hub, The gas tank is part of the frame! Three cables for the clutch, accelerator brake but only one lever on the handlebar? The bicycle crank means it has it has to be rolling to start. It's just oozing with character and craftsmanship. This is motorcycle fine art.