Press Release

Gooding & Company Consigns the World’s Oldest Bentley and A Superior Motorcycle Owned by Steve McQueen and Von Dutch

Bentley’s Oldest Surviving Production Car, Chassis 3, and an Ex-Steve McQueen and Von Dutch Brough Superior Motorcycle. Join Gooding & Company’s Pebble Beach Auctions, August 20 & 21.

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (June 14, 2011) – Gooding & Company, the world’s leading auction house for collectors of rare and exceptional vehicles, is thrilled to announce two Pebble Beach Auctions consignments: Chassis 3, the oldest surviving production Bentley in existence, and a 1931 Brough Superior motorcycle once the personal property of both legendary icon Steve McQueen and prolific motorcycle and custom car artist Von Dutch.

“We’re delighted to present extraordinary collector examples of two renowned British marques, the 1921 Bentley Chassis 3 and McQueen’s beloved 1931 Brough Superior SS80, at our Pebble Beach Auctions,” says David Gooding, President and founder of Gooding & Company. “Both the Bentley and Brough Superior represent special opportunities for collectors who value provenance, historical significance and authenticity.”

Chassis 3, the Oldest Surviving Production Bentley One of the most important Bentleys in existence, this 1921 Bentley 3 Litre was the first customer car to leave the Bentley factory. Chassis 3 is an extraordinary, matching-numbers car with brass brightwork and an original aluminum body with fully disappearing top as specified by the first owner. It’s participation in Vintage Bentley rallies, and many other recent events, attests to the car’s usability. Chassis 3 is a special addition to Gooding & Company’s Pebble Beach Auctions this August, and its estimate is available on request.

1931 Brough Superior SS80, a Legendary Motorcycle Owned by the Legend Himself Of the hundreds of motorcycles Steve McQueen personally owned, this extraordinary pre-war SS80 was one of his personal favorites. It was also McQueen’s only Brough Superior, a historically significant, high-performance British motorcycle marque made famous by World War I British army officer T.E. Lawrence, otherwise known as Lawrence of Arabia, who for many years had been a major proponent of the motorcycles. Purchased in the 1970s and for some time thereafter, McQueen shared the Brough Superior SS80 with his close friend and renowned artist Von Dutch. Bound by their appreciation for this beloved motorcycle, the two legendary enthusiasts shared the SS80 between them throughout their lives and agreed that whoever passed away first would bequeath the bike to the other.

The motorcycle exists today in wonderful, unrestored condition. The ex-McQueen and Von Dutch 1931 Brough Superior SS80 will be presented at Gooding & Company’s Pebble Beach Auctions along with a letter of authenticity written by Steve’s son, Chad McQueen. Its estimate is $100,000 - $200,000 and it will be offered without reserve.

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