The mo'sickle above is a replica of the bike Steve McQueen used to race in the way-back. A blurb:Steve McQueen was well known as a motorcyclist and, as anyone who has seen him in the film ‘On Any Sunday’ will know, a capable dirt bike racer too. What is perhaps less well known was that he had a great deal of personal input into the bikes he rode and raced. One such bike, and allegedly his favorite was a Métisse Mark III Desert Racer imported from the UK in kit form.
The Métisse brand, originally established by the Rickman brothers, Derek and Don who were famous for their road racing frames, is now owned by Gerry Lisi who has gained approval from McQueen’s son Chad to produce a limited edition run of replicas of the bike his father rode.Oh, My. Talk about Lottery Fantasy Number Frickin' ONE... Well, maybe Number Frickin' Three. There would have to be a suitable garage to put the Métisse in. And a suitable house attached to said suitable garage. Dang. I sense we're going down a rat-hole here, and quickly at that. More detail on this exquisite machine, if'n you're interested, here.
Update, later that same day: Speaking of moto-dreams and such... The bike pictured above, a 1953 Vincent Black Shadow, is currently being auctioned off on eBay. Only three bids have been received so far (current: $45,200.00, reserve not met) and the bidding is open until February 2, 2009. Apropos of nothing... I had the opportunity to pick up this Vincent's little brother (a 1950's vintage 500cc single) when I was stationed in England in the '80s and passed on the offer. I STILL kick myself for that move... or non-move, as the case may be.Anyhoo. I hope the Vincent above finds a good home. Hopefully with someone who thinks "red hair and black leather" is his favorite color scheme.
Toby says he would be glad to keep a bike for you in his shop :)
ReplyDeleteI'll keep that in mind, Lou. ;-)
ReplyDeleteWow - that 1950s bike is one sexy machine. Wow Wow Wow
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ReplyDeleteI haven't been riding in over 23 years, but I would ride that Desert Racer, the old kit bike above.
ReplyDeleteIf it was affordable, it would be in the garage next to the 560SL.
Kris: There are about eight high-res pics of the Vincent at the eBay site. Didja go look?
ReplyDeleteDC: "Affordable" is in th eyes of the beholder, innit? I'm bettin' one Barco equals about four or five Métisses... probably more. ;-)
I stand corrected. While I have NO idea what you paid for Barco, I DO know the McQueen bike lists for £12,999... or roughly $26K. (I went and looked) My original comment about "lottery fantasy" still applies.
ReplyDeleteBuck I have a photo on my bedroom wall, of Steve on the Triumph TR6 that he rode in The Great Escape! I love that man! The guy that actually did the famous jump in the movie,Bud Ekins, died a couple of years ago I think. I would love to have the Triumph... what a cool bike. The Metisse is just jaw droppingly gorgeous. I can't ride anymore... (balance problem) :(
ReplyDeleteI put up a post on Mr. Ekins when he died back in 2007, Alison. I'm sorry to hear about your balance problem... that really hurts. But I SO agree with you about the Métisse... even at the outrageous price they're asking.
ReplyDeleteBut we can sleep (or not) on the Barco. And use the two heads...
ReplyDelete26K for a small motorcycle is not in our future, either.