As the US launched into WWII in late 1941, Indian struggled to push a few more civilian motorcycles out the door before gearing up for war time production. One of the rarest Indian fours built is a 1942. Only about 700 were built.
1942 Indian Four “440”
Offered Without Reserve
1969 Kawasaki H-1
Offered Without Reserve
A bike as iconic as the splitting of the atom. Kawasaki showed what they could do with multi-cylinders and two-stroke technology. To find one with one mile is a rare opportunity. This bike is the standard that all restorations will be judged by. The most original in the world!
1981 Honda CBX
Offered Without Reserve
Honda originally released their sixes as race bikes in the ’60s. In the late ’70s, they released their iconic six-cylinder CBX. To find one with low mileage like this first-year touring version is a rare opportunity indeed.
1972 Kawasaki H-2
Offered Without Reserve
The 750 H-2 was the ultimate two-stroke street bike. After Kawasaki released the H-1, it’s like they said, “You ain’t seen nothing yet; we increased the displacement 50%!” This one has all original paint with its original exhaust.
1953 Harley-Davidson KR
Offered Without Reserve
As the US crawled out of the aftershock of WWII and normalcy came back, American flat tracking saw a big revival in the USA. The KR was an over-the-counter racer sold by Harley-Davidson for racers to campaign across the US. Many a county fairground played host to these on Saturday night race card. This is a great example of an as-raced Harley-Davidson. Americana at its best.
1966 Honda CB-450 “Black Bomber”
Offered Without Reserve
The CB-450 was one of Honda’s first “big bikes”, featuring lots of innovative technology with its “torsion bar” valves, electric starter, and futuristic styling.
Presented by Gas Monkey Garage & Richard Rawlings and featuring the lifetime collection of celebrated flat track racer Denny “Kannonball” Kannenberg, the all no-reserve sale will showcase one of the most significant motorcycle collections to ever come to market. Comprising a total of 165 largely original motorcycles including racers, dirt bikes, street bikes and even mini-motorcycles, there is something for everyone who appreciates anything on two wheels, as well as an eclectic offering of 30 collectible vehicles and a treasure trove of memorabilia, petroliana and toys. The auction will take place September 10th and 11th 2021 in Auburn, Indiana.
Among the highlights of this collection full of special bikes is a rare 1942 Indian Four “440” complete with original Indian side car, one of the last Indian Fours ever built before the factory ceased civilian production at the outset of WWII. Also included is a 1986 Honda CX500 Turbo that was presented by Honda to the king of drag racing, “Big Daddy” Don Garlits as the NHRA Champion. With just over 4,765 miles on the odometer, it is in pristine condition and the headlight fairing is inscribed and autographed by Garlits himself.
The infamous 1969 Kawasaki 500 III is another of the collection’s interesting bikes, notorious for being terrifyingly fast and nicknamed “The Widow Maker” for obvious reasons. Offered in original condition, it has just a single mile on the clock. Another of Denny Kannenberg’s personal favorites is a specially modified dirt track prepared Harley-Davidson Model KR from 1953, devoid of any braking system and again designed simply to go fast. Restored to race-ready condition and carrying his legendary number plate of 20J, it is sure to pique the interest of avid collectors.
Also featured are names like Moto Guzzi, Metisse, a marque made famous by Steve McQueen, Hodaka, Bultaco, Maico and Ossa. Kannenberg further appreciated the technological sophistication of the Japanese manufacturers such as Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha and there are a host more noteworthy examples in the line-up.
160 Motorcycles, 30 Vehicles, & Memorabilia all Offered Without Reserve
Denny Kannenberg earned the name the “Kannonball” during a racing career which ran from 1956 to 1973, when he retired to devote his full-time attention to his Sport Wheels business in Minnesota and his growing family.
“I’m blessed by the opportunity to bring the, literally, lifetime collection of my friend Denny to the world. Here is a historic offering of everything that it is motoring and bikes and racing, representing a real coming age of motorcycles themselves and racing itself and American flat track, and there will not be another opportunity like it.”
Richard RawlingsGas Monkey Garage
Admission Information
Bidder Registration:
$50
Includes bidder registration and admission for two to the auction as well as two all-day preview passes.
Seating during the auction is for Consignors, Registered Bidders, Ticket Holders, Guests, and Credentialed Media only.
Spectator Admission to Preview Days & Both Auction Days:
$25
Per person for all preview days and general admission to both auction days.
Spectator Admission to Preview Days & One Auction Day:
$15
Per person general admission for one auction day.
Schedule of Events
Location & Directions
Worldwide Auctioneers HQ
5634 Opportunity Blvd
Auburn, IN 46706
