6-4-19 Update: Tim Huber notes that Liquid Asset Partners did not get all the offers they were looking for, as many of these bikes have now been listed on eBay. Now we get to see what the market thinks they’re worth.
Specifically, five of the bikes have been listed, all in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Here’s the list from oldest to newest:
1.) 1923 Grigg Blackburne V-Twin – bidding is up to $10,300 with the reserve not yet met
2.) 1938 Vincent Rapide Series A – bidding is up to $111,450 with the reserve not yet met
3.) 1953 Vincent Black Shadow Series C – bidding is up to $53,300 with the reserve not yet met
4.) 1954 Vincent Rapide Series D/C (D bike, C motor) – bidding is up to $24,199 with the reserve not yet met
5.) 1955 Vincent Victor Replica Series D – bidding is up to $10,100 with the reserve not yet met
Good luck!
According to Liquid Asset Partners, someone discovered a forgotten warehouse collection in Los Angeles that happened to have some very rare motorcycles including six Vincents and a Grigg.
My three favorites:
1938 Vincent HRD Series A Rapide Twin – “Entertaining Offers Above $400,000”. The first production Vincent to get a V-Twin, the Series A Rapide had a production run of just 79. Check out this article on Motorcycle Classics for more, where they note that the bike got the nickname of “the plumber’s nightmare” due to the external oil lines.
1923 Grigg Blackburne V-Twin – “Entertaining Offers Above $30,000”. Claimed to be the sole remaining example of its kind, as well as one of just four bikes built by Grigg that are still around.
1955 Vincent Victor Replica – “Entertaining Offers Above $40,000”. Vincent made one prototype of the Victor, a Series D upgrade to the Comet. Said prototype sold in 2011 at the Bonhams Stafford Show for $139,266 including the buyer’s premium. This is claimed to be the sole known replica.
Click here to see all the bikes, or look below for the press release with more details:
Rarest motorcycles found in forgotten collection, 1938 Vincent Series A headlines collection.
Some of the world’s rarest motorcycles buried in a forgotten Los Angeles warehouse collection are now for sale with viewing in Grand Rapids, MI on May 22, 2019.
Grand Rapids, MI – A rare collection of Vincent and Grigg motorcycles are now in the care of Liquid Asset Partners, based in Grand Rapids. These were discovered after the passing of a reclusive owner, after being hidden away for decades. The bikes include six Vincent Motorcycles, a one of a kind Grigg Motorcycle, and a lifetime collection of rare parts. The gem of the collection is a 1938 Vincent HRD Series A Twin, coined by many as the rarest and most collectible motorcycle in the world.
“We could not believe what we found,” said Bill Melvin. “We made arrangements to view the collection which was buried in an industrial building near Los Angeles. Within a day, we were on site taking notes and photos to document this rare find. It was difficult as the bikes were crammed into tight quarters mixed with parts and other miscellaneous items. It was the personal hoard of a lifetime.”
The headliner of the collection is the Vincent HRD Series A Twin. Known as a “Series A” it carries a prestige similar to the rarest Duesenbergs, with only 78 ever built and possibly fewer than 40 in existence today. Most of the surviving Series A motorcycles are in museums, with only a few coming for sale each decade. Built in 1938, with a top speed above 100mph, it was a superbike with many beautiful hand made parts, which showcase the mechanical work of art. The engine has a wonderful V-Twin rumble and power that surprises anyone lucky enough to try it.
The collection also has a 1923 Grigg Blackburne V-twin engine 693cc which is extremely rare, the only known survivor in the world with the 693cc V-Twin. Only four Griggs of various models are thought to survive. The craftsmanship, attention to detail, and history of this piece of art are sure to be destined for a museum.
Included is a one-of-a-kind Vincent Series D Victor (Comet) replica. The Victor was one of the last models created by Vincent in 1954. Only one was made before the factory closed. The previous owner was the only person to spend the time and money to recreate a perfect one-of-a kind replica of this rare model.
The bikes were brought over in the early 1960’s when the previous owner decided to leave England as a young man. He came to the United States with a container of belongings which included a number of old motorcycles and a vast collection of parts.
The following is a list of the motorcycles, which Liquid will be entertaining offers on: 1923 Grigg Blackburne, 1938 Vincent Series A -HRD Twin, 1953 Vincent Black Shadow – Series C, 1955 Vincent Victor Single Replica, 1954 Vincent Rapide D/C, 1948 Vincent Series B Rapide, and 1950 Vincent Comet basket case.
About Liquid Asset Partners:
Liquid Asset Partners LLC is a North American liquidation, auction, appraisal, and consulting firm, comprised of professionals with a diverse knowledge of industries. Some recent transactions include: Erik Buell Racing, Cannondale Motorcycle Factory, Harley-Davidson Test Facilities, Lotus Engineering USA, Global Electric Motorcars & Indian Motorcycle Factory (NC), Dixie Distributing, Indian Motorcycle Factory (Gilroy), Buell Motorcycle Factory, American Ironhorse Factory, Global Motorsports, Circuit City, & over 10,000 other facilities across North America.
Bill Melvin’s father (Bill Sr) began in the business back in 1974 by liquidating motorcycle dealerships and distributors. They are known throughout the motorcycle world as experts on the subject of antique motorcycles, parts, memorabilia and as formidable buyers of rare models such as Brough Superior, Crocker, Vincent, Flying Merkle, Pope, Indian, Harley-Davidson, and more.
Interested parties should contact Liquid Asset Partners at 616.719.5917 or sales@liquidap.com to place bids.
This bike-uriousity brought to you by Tim H!