Next week, approximately 75 vintage motorcycles (nearly everything was made before 1914) from Pierre Guélon’s collection will be auctioned off at no reserve at the Artcurial Auction in Paris alongside the Retromobile show. It’s a truly impressive gathering of bikes, though most have been sitting for decades and the assumption is that you’ll have to restore your acquisition if you want to ride it. Still, at the very least it’s a visual treat that’s worth checking out!
Per the Artcurial Auction, the story is that Pierre was getting rid of some scrap brass at a junkyard in the early 1970s when he noticed a “jumble of wheels and mechanical parts.” Turns out he found a few bikes that the junkyard owners didn’t care for, so he made a trade. As the bikes were in pieces, he eventually put them back together and started a collection that he partially opened to the public. Over the years, his collection grew but now it’s time for someone else to enjoy the bikes. Here’s a list of all the lots – the bikes start at 201. Below are the 5 I find most interesting!
1.) 1942 NSU Kettenkrad – estimated to sell between $62,000 and $100,000. The NSU Kettenkrad (Ketten = tracks, krad = German military abbreviation for motorcycle), was a half-track designed initially as a light tractor for airborne troops. Due to its diminutive size, it was the only ‘gun tractor’ capable of fitting in certain Nazi aircraft. The formal name was the SdKfz2, and the majority were used to lay down communication cables, transport soldiers and cargo through deep Russian mud, and as runway tugs for aircraft.
Powered by an 1.5L, inline 4 cylinder Opel engine that produced 36 horsepower, the Kettenkrad was capable of 44 miles per hour, according to the driver’s manual. The engine was selected as NSU did not make a big enough engine at the time. NSU selected the engine from the Opel Olympia because the car was already in use by the Wehrmacht, so field mechanics were familiar with it. For such a contraption that weighed 2,726 pounds, it impressively got 18 mpg on-road, and about 13 off-road. Last thing you should know is how the steering works. Up to a certain point, steering was done by the front wheel, controlled by the handlebar. But if you wanted to turn even further, the bike would automatically apply brakes to the inside track to enable tighter turns. Because the Kettenkrad could turn by using brakes, you could even run without the front wheel, which is what the manual suggested when you were on serious off-road terrain. If you want more information, you should check out the Kettenkrad Homepage, especially the FAQ section. This example has been in the collection since 1993, before which it was partially restored.
2.) 1928 New-Motorcycle 500 – estimated to sell between $37,000 and $75,000. Developed by Georges Roy, the “New-Motorcycle” was designed as an evolution from the tube frames of the day. Roy got a patent for his stamped sheetmetal frame which was notable for being much cheaper to produce – but I am much more fascinated with how gorgeous it is. Though the New-Motorcycle wasn’t much of a commercial success, it did inspire Roy to design another motorcycle that you’ll see further down the list…
The New was available with two-stroke and four-stroke engines. This example has a four-stroke 500cc Chaise powerplant.
3.) 1906 Moto de course 2 cylindres 1000 – estimated to sell between $12,000 and $25,000. Even with the provided description, it’s hard to tell what this besides a fascinating-looking custom racer.
4.) 1899 Pernoo with Labitte motor – estimated to sell between $37,000 and $75,000. The auctioneers claim that this model “won what we would call the first motorcycle race in the world.” The Labitte add-on motor produces 1.25 horsepower and adds 18.5 pounds of weight, making the total package 62 pounds.
5.) 1931 Majestic 350 – estimated to sell between $37,000 and $75,000. We’re back to Georges Roy! The Majestic was his sequel to the New-Motorcycle above, and it was interesting enough to be featured in the Guggenheim’s “Art of the Motorcycle” exhibit. The styling is distinctive, but what’s more interesting is the steering. Unlike any bike I’ve ever seen, the steering is taken care of with a central rotating hub, and zero rake! A manual hand-shifter let you work the three-speed gearbox, and Majestic offered a variety of engines, including 350/500cc Chaise units, JAP 350/500cc options, a 500cc Train engine, and a liter engine from Cleveland. Want to learn more? Check out this road test on the always-wonderful Vintagent, who notes that “as the speed rises to the 30-40mph range, there’s a mid pendulum effect at the front wheel, as if it’s seeking to find balance, so a light hand is required on the handlebars to prevent a weave. Even with a delicate touch, the front wheel seems very slightly aimless – not hunting exactly, but not rail-like in steering; constant minor correction is necessary to keep the plot moving in exactly the right direction. That was the only unusual effect of the Majestic’s steering, which was still surprising, as other hub-center steered machines tend towards over-stability, and are difficult to deflect from a straight line! It might well be that Georges Roy chose his front end geometry to avoid exactly that tendency, and to keep the Majestic feeling agile rather than rock-steady.”
This example is equipped with a Chaise 350cc motor and like everything else it may need extensive mechanical refurbishment. Or you could just stare at it in awe, your choice.
There’s plenty more bikes and beautiful classic cars to check out as part of this auction, so click here if you’re inspired to see the remaining lots!