Classic Vincent Motorcycle Sells for Record $929,000

A 1951 Vincent Black Lightning motorcycle was sold at auction in Las Vegas this week for $929,000—the most ever paid for a motorcycle.

The price easily tops the previous record of $775,000 for a 1915 Cyclone sold in 2015. That bike was once owned by actor Steve McQueen, who was an avid amateur racer.

The record price for the Black Lightning is attributed to the motorcycle’s racing history, rarity and its unrestored condition. The bike is one of only 31 such models produced by Vincent Engineers Ltd. in Stevenage, England.

The record-breaking motorcycle has logged only 5,000 miles, most of which occurred during races. Original owner Jack Ehret once used the bike to set Australia’s land speed record of 141 mph. He claims to have finished on the podium (top three) in 80% of the races he competed in with the motorcycle over a 40-year career. Other Black Lightning bikes have held speed records in the U.S. and elsewhere.

The Black Lightning was powered by 998-cc pushrod engine that generated 70 hp. A lightweight design, featuring magnesium and aluminum components, kept the bike’s weight down to 380 lbs.