Mecum Auction

[Gramps]

Did anyone see this 1945 Simplex sold at the Mecum Auction January 2014, Las Vegas?

[Ricks]

How much did it go for?

[pd]

Lot 559 1945 Simplex Servi-Car
Another Mecum Sold
Sold Price: $6,000



DESCRIPTION

This is the finest example of a 1945 Simplex you will find. It has many NOS parts, new Simplex tires, new magnetos, ignition system and piston rings. The NOS pipe runs perfect. It has been stored in a museum in California for the past 25 years.

[pd]

And here's one from 2011 :
Obviously a conversion .

Lot T115 1947 Simplex Servi-Cycle
The Barry Solomon Motorcycle Collection ( More Lots  »)
Another Mecum Sold
Sold Price: $4,000





DESCRIPTION

First produced in 1935, the basic Simplex motorcycle design changed little over its 25-year life span. The first models were rolling-start and direct belt drive. A rocker clutch pedal was added in 1941, and the Automatic model was introduced in 1953. Along the way, other upgrades were incorporated, including a kick starter, magneto-driven lighting, and more. This 1947 Model H is one of the last produced and one of a very few still extant. It has been meticulously restored by Mr. Gene Floyd of Laughlin, Nevada. He spent 2 years (1994 to 1996) restoring it to this excellent cosmetic and mechanical condition.

[pd]

And here's a beautiful Roadster :


Lot S101 1908 Simplex 50 Speedcar Roadster
The Oldest Simplex Known to Exist
Another Mecum Sold
Sold Price: $1,900,000







DESCRIPTION

This remarkable 1908 Simplex 50 Speedcar from the early Brass Era is the oldest one known to exist. Chassis number 211, its central feature is the enormous 610 CI 4-cylinder T-head engine, which is rebuilt with new aluminum pistons, rings and bearings, and a new aluminum crankcase custom-cast at great expense. The finished engine is correct in every way, including its Simplex carburetor, centrifugal water pump, rare Bosch magneto and outside exhaust system. A 4-speed transmission with reverse delivers the Simplex’s ample torque to a double chain drive. A 40 gallon fuel tank and 13-gallon oil reservoir gave the Simplex long-distance capability and a special 5-inch radiator core insures more-than-adequate cooling. Fans of the Brass period will appreciate every detail in this charming and unique antique with its current restoration just completed.

HIGHLIGHTS

- Chassis No. 211
- The oldest Simplex known to exist
- 587 CI engine bored to 600 CI
- 4 cylinder with T-Head valve configuration
- Early engine plugs over intake
- Correct Simplex carburetor
- Centrifugal water pump
- Rare Bosch B magneto
- Four forward gears with reverse
- Double side chain drive
- 40 gallon fuel tank, 13 gallon oil tank
- Solar head, side and tail lamps
- Authentic instruments and original gauges
- Special 5 inch radiator core
- Outside exhaust system
- New aluminum crankcase
- New pistons, rings, bearings, crank
- Rare 27 inch hat box compartment inside spare tires
- Current restoration just completed

[Gramps]

I don't know what it sold for.
I got it from there online catalog.
http://www.mecum.com/auctions/consignment_list.cfm?startRow=1&AUCTION_ID=LV0114&consignday=Saturday&lottype=

[pd]

I don't know what it sold for.
I got it from there online catalog.
http://www.mecum.com/auctions/consignment_list.cfm?startRow=1&AUCTION_ID=LV0114&consignday=Saturday&lottype=

Lot 559 1945 Simplex Servi-Car
Another Mecum Sold
Sold Price: $6,000



DESCRIPTION

This is the finest example of a 1945 Simplex you will find. It has many NOS parts, new Simplex tires, new magnetos, ignition system and piston rings. The NOS pipe runs perfect. It has been stored in a museum in California for the past 25 years.

[Gramps]

PD, You beat me to it. I was just about to post the same thing you did.
I joined Mecum to get the sale price.
If I had been there I would have tried to get this 1970 AMF HD Bicycle for a little more than the $700 it sold for.

[pd]

Gramps ,

I wouldn't blame you . That bike looks to be perfect .

Pete .

[Ricks]

That doesn't look like the finest restored 1945 Simplex to me.  I don't like the painted spokes or the emblem on the gas tank.  I also believe the transmission should be painted black.  I wonder if it runs?  $6000 is top of the market for almost any Simplex, with the exception of the trucks, and I have seen many nicer.

[old servi]

As usual, Ricks is correct!

[pd]

That doesn't look like the finest restored 1945 Simplex to me.  I don't like the painted spokes or the emblem on the gas tank.  I also believe the transmission should be painted black.  I wonder if it runs?  $6000 is top of the market for almost any Simplex, with the exception of the trucks, and I have seen many nicer.

And then , there's that '47 with a Briggs motor for 4 Grand .

Maybe the 'top' is rising ?

Anyway , it's what ever the buyer is willing to pay .

Pete .

[Ricks]

That doesn't look like the finest restored 1945 Simplex to me.  I don't like the painted spokes or the emblem on the gas tank.  I also believe the transmission should be painted black.  I wonder if it runs?  $6000 is top of the market for almost any Simplex, with the exception of the trucks, and I have seen many nicer.

And then , there's that '47 with a Briggs motor for 4 Grand .

Maybe the 'top' is rising ?

Anyway , it's what ever the buyer is willing to pay .



Pete .

Agreed!  As PT Barnum said, "There is a sucker born every minute"   LOL

[Mike Sal]

I used to work for AMF when they made those mopeds.  We made two horsepower versions & the only difference between the 2 was the muffler and the decal.  I always felt it was ackward to reach around to flip the motor lever.  McCollough won a big engineering award by designing such a compact 2 stroke design of motor.  Sure wish I would have kept one of them....
Mike Sal

[Doodle Bugger]

That is an AMF Roadmaster moped. It's actually late 1970s, probably '77 or '78.

The one in the photo is actually missing the rear plastic shroud that covers the engine. It is a friction drive on the rear wheel with a 2 stroke McCullough engine. Like Mike said, you could flip a lever to engage or disengage the engine.

I have two of them in excellent original condition (I did mopeds before Doodle Bugs). I haven't run them in years, but they are complete. Honestly, I cannot believe anyone would actually pay that much for them. In the world of late 1970s mopeds, the AMF Roadmasters were built cheap, cheap, cheap compared to the popular brands like Puch, Motobecane, Kreidler, and Batavus among others.  If you guys are really willing to pay $700+ each for them, I should dig mine out, clean them up and let them go! 

Speaking of the auction, to see the full catalog to to Mid America Auctions and look at their results. There was a Doodle Bug model B (Clinton Engine, temporary fill-in model, one of 750 or so ever built) restored correctly to perfection (by Dennis Daily) with all of the accessories available that was sold to the Barber Museum in Alabama. It went for under $4500 and was perfect. That's way "under the money" in my opinion, especially considering the price of the parts alone. So, while some things seems up or even on fire, other segments seemed just average or even down based on these auction results.