Bonhams wrapped up an impressive motorcycle auction in Las Vegas, and some very pricey metal rolled across the block. While seriously expensive bikes like the 1955 Vincent Black Prince pictured above and a 1915 Harley-Davidson 11-F Twin failed to bring home enough cash to find new owners, the 1953 Vincent Black Shadow to the right brought home well north of its early bid estimates. A new owner laid down a hefty 2,500 for the pleasure of ownership. Likewise, one very sparse-looking 1907 Indian Camelback went for ,860.

We took the time to pick through the auction’s offerings to show off some of the more interesting bikes to roll across the stage in Las Vegas. You can check out the gallery for our personal faves or click over to the Bonhams site for more information on specific lots. The auction featured plenty of memorabilia in addition to full bikes.

Bonhams Las Vegas Motorcycle Sale sees big numbers for vintage bikes originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda has given SEMA goers something to get excited about with a pair of MX-5 Miata concepts. The MX-5 Miata Spyder Concept has done away with the standard car’s folding soft top or retractable hard top mechanism in favor of a lightweight grenadine-red canvas covering à la Porsche’s Boxster Spyder. The look lends the already lithe roadster an even more svelte appearance, and the Spyder’s 17-inch Advan alloys and Mazdaspeed coilovers ensure that the driver should have plenty of fun when the road turns twisty. Mazda has also rolled in quite a few excellent details, including etched brushed stainless Spyder badging on the front fenders and a clean MX-5 Spyder logo on the passenger-side dash.

While the 2.0-liter MZR four-cylinder underhood looks familiar, Mazda says the MX-5 Spyder runs on isobutanol, the same biofuel that powers in Mazda’s/Dyson Racing ALMS car. To further the company’s “Sustainable Zoom-Zoom” effort, the Spyder also has a lightweight lithium ion battery, among other changes.

Does the Spyder have a chance at production? Well, probably not the isobutanol powertrain, but a lighter model with a similar top configuration might have a shot. As Mazda’s design director, Derek Jenkins, notes “…because the stock models are extraordinarily versatile, who’s to say some elements of these SEMA concepts can’t be ready for public consumption?” Sign us up.

The MX-5 Super 20 – which debuted last year – brings more of a motorsports flavor to the convertible. A fixed hardtop has replaced the standard folding mechanism and the interior has been stripped bare in favor of a full roll cage. Additional power comes courtesy of a DPTUNE ECU reflash, a 304-stainless steel header and exhaust. Racing Beat hollow front and rear sway bars, Mazdaspeed coilovers and a Mazdaspeed shock tower brace help lend sharper handling, too.

Continue reading Mazda MX-5 Miata Spyder and Super 20 Concepts land in Las Vegas

Mazda MX-5 Miata Spyder and Super 20 Concepts land in Las Vegas originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This article originally appeared on SPEEDtv.com and is republished with permission. Check your local listings for SPEEDtv’s live coverage of Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas, which continues today from 4PM-11PM EST and Saturday from 2PM -9:30PM EST.

One thing you’ll find plenty of at the Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction is Pontiac Firebird Trans Ams from the late ’70s. The same black-and-gold, “Smoky and the Bandit,” screamin’ eagle Trans Ams that beguiled so many adolescent gearheads in their day.

These flamboyant muscle cars have enjoyed a resurgence of late, moving away from disco-era kitsch and into the realm of bona fide collector cars. Not too many cars of that stylistic- and performance-challenged time have made the leap.

“The styling has endured for a long, long time,” said admitted Pontiac addict Tom Knight of Albuquerque, N.M, as he eyed a 1976 Trans Am 50th Anniversary coupe. “I think there’s been a resurrection now that Pontiac’s dead.”

[Images: Bob Golfen, SPEED]

Continue reading Pontiac Trans Am leads ’70s resurgence at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas

Pontiac Trans Am leads ’70s resurgence at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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