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2 1949 Vincent Black Lightning Supercharged – $317,000
Starting this list off with a bang! The Vincent Black Lightning was already the fastest bike in the early 1950s, but the best one used a supercharger that was only fitted to break the world speed record on a motorcycle (one that was previously held by a BMW since 1937). Another modification added to the bike that Vincent Motorcycles founder Phil Vincent personally approved was the frame’s design, as it was stretched 6 inches to improve the bike’s stability at high speeds. This bike sold at auction to a museum for over $317,000 back in 2008. Vincent Black Lightnings already go for crazy prices and are often regarded as the most sought-after classic motorcycle, so it’s no surprise this classic British beauty sold for as much as it did.
1 1942 Crocker V-Twin “Big Tank” – $385,000
A beautiful pre-war motorcycle, the Crocker may not be in the spotlight today, but its roots are deeply integrated with Indian motorcycles. Al Crocker started making his own frames in his Indian shop in Los Angeles. As Speedway racing was popular in the 1930s, Crocker built his first motorcycle frame to accommodate the Indian engine.
Crocker grew into a true performance motorcycle by beating the likes of Harley-Davidson and Indian.
Offered first in 1936, the Crocker V-Twin motors were offered until the company’s demise in 1942 due to World War II’s restrictions on metal that had to be used in the war effort. Overall, 72 V-Twins were made and pre-1938 builds were dubbed “small tanks” while the later models were called “big tanks” for their obvious gas tank enlargement. This certain final-model-year Crocker went for a staggering $385,000.
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