Auburn, Indiana. – Worldwide Auctioneers is gearing up for the sale of one of the most diverse offerings of largely pristine motorcycles to ever come to market. The Kannenberg Collection Auction is scheduled for September 10th and 11th, 2021 in Auburn, Indiana. Presented by Gas Monkey Garage and Richard Rawlings, who became the custodian of the lifetime collection of flat track racer Denny Kannenberg in 2019, the no-reserve sale will offer 160 mostly original motorcycles including racers, dirt bikes, street bikes and mini motorcycles, as well as an eclectic selection of 30 collector cars and a veritable treasure trove of memorabilia, petroliana and toys.

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, building his astonishing, historic collection along the way. Highlights in an offering full of attention-grabbing bikes include one of the rarest of the Indian Fours, a 1942 Indian Four, fitted with an Indian sidecar with Art Deco fenders, one of just 700 approximately made. This example may be one of the very last Indian Fours ever built before the factory ceased civilian production at the outset of WWII. Also included is a true piece of Americana with known history, an as-raced 1953 Harley-Davidson KR that was successfully campaigned by Denny Kannenberg throughout the Midwest, a period example with Bates pillion pad, alloy fender, an alloy oil tank, and the rare Wiseco racing magneto. Another storied bike on offer is a 1982 Honda CX500TC, gifted by Honda to the king of drag racing, “Big Daddy” Don Garlits in honor of his accomplishments, with the headlight fairing inscribed and autographed by Garlits himself. With 4,500 miles on the odometer, it is obvious that the NHRA champion rode it instead of simply putting the bike on display in his museum.

Among the many untouched and extraordinarily low-mileage Japanese bikes in the collection is an infamous 1969 Kawasaki H-1, the fastest production motorcycle of the year, often nicknamed “The Widow Maker” because of its blinding acceleration and evil handling. This is an opportunity to own the most original one in the world, with just 1.7 miles on the odometer, the example that all restorations will be judged against. The Kannenberg Collection has something for everyone who ever loved anything on two wheels, with names like Moto Guzzi, Ducati, Metisse, a marque made famous by Steve McQueen, Hodaka, Bultaco, Maico and Ossa also in the mix. The entire motorcycle offering can now be viewed online at worldwideauctioneers.com and you can take a virtual tour with Richard Rawlings himself on Gas Monkey Garage’s YouTube channel.

“I’m blessed by the opportunity to bring the, literally, lifetime collection of my friend Denny to the world and honored to be the custodian of this legacy, tasked with finding new owners who will treasure its contents as much as he did,” said Richard Rawlings. “It’s an unbelievable representation of everything that it is bikes and racing and motoring and petroliana and there will not be another opportunity like it.”

The Kannenberg Collection Auction will take place on September 10th and 11th at Worldwide Auctioneers headquarters in Kruse Plaza, Auburn, Indiana, with preview days scheduled from Wednesday, September 8th up to the sale itself. Details on the full schedule and bidder registration are available at worldwideauctioneers.com or by calling 1.260.925.6789, with bidding options available to suit all comfort levels; live in-person, online and absentee by telephone.

About Worldwide Auctioneers

Worldwide Auctioneers is a US-based, boutique catalogue auction company that is unique in having principals who are owner auctioneers, wholly invested in seamlessly delivering the optimal result for every client. In addition to the acquisition and sale of classic automobiles at auction, it offers an extensive range of personalized services to the serious collector, including appraisal, collection direction and consultancy, estate planning and asset management. For those seeking to sell a car or collection privately, the company’s private sales division incorporates The Salon, a 200,000-square-foot, climate-controlled and purpose-built showroom housed at its Auburn headquarters, along with a dedicated memorabilia division. Worldwide’s normal annual schedule includes The Scottsdale Auction in January, The Pacific Grove Auction on the Monterey Peninsula in August (next scheduled for August 2022), The Auburn Auction, held over Labor Day Weekend in Indiana, and stand-alone auctions of significant private collections. www.worldwideauctioneers.com

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The movie, “Wild One” starring Marlon Brando, showed images of a biker gang terrorizing a small town in California. The leader of pack falls for the Sheriff’s daughter despite objection from the father. Just like in the movie, Robert Elick Bearor was a bit of a rebel. In fact, he took pride that his initials were close to rebel (R.E.B.). Bob drove a logging truck and saw a cute lil’ gal getting off the bus and followed her to where she was working as a waitress. Almost every day he would show up at the diner and Christine would ask, “what could I get for you?” Bob would reply, “You!” Bob was a bit of a rebel and rode motorcycle and had fast cars. Christine’s mother didn’t quite know what to think of him when he picked her up on his Harley and leather jacket. Bob and his “gang” had been known to run around. Bob once drove his Harley into the Cove Point Dance Hall in Leicester, VT and burned out in the middle of the dance floor; the black marks stayed for years. Teenie’s mom finally allowed her to go out with Bob, and they dated for 5 years and got married in a 1958 Corvette. Soon the kids came and Bob sold “Casper” his white Harley Davidson Motorcycle to buy their first home. Teenie eventually learned to ride and they loved riding motorcycles together. She especially liked his Harley because it was so loud and people took notice of them on the bike. They had matching riding outfits and loved to ride around to shows and throughout the Vermont area. Bob was always doing tricks on his motorcycle and quite often Teenie was riding along.

Bob soon started a mail route in Vermont and New York. He wanted Christine to be home with the kids and they started the Teenie Tiny Poultry farm, so Teenie (Christine) could stay home with the kids while he was running his mail routes. Throughout this time there were always motorcycles and classic cars around the house. Teenie figured, Bob did all the work, he deserved the toys. He bought a 1976 Harley Davidson Coney Island MC Cruiser. It was called the Joker and was embellished in lights, 1976 Silver dollars and more. It was toured to events with a 1947 Indian motorcycle that was supposedly gold plated instead of chrome. Bob would also sell Indian and Harley Davidson trinkets and animals from the Teenie’s Tiny Farm aside the display for the Joker at shows. It was a happy, busy life for their family.

People in the area knew that Bob would help them out. Often times, Bob would buy things from them to help them with money problems. Bob helped many people openly and privately. Bob also had a body shop on the farm where he painted bikes and cars. He was a great member of the community.

When he was younger, Bob had befriended Ed Flynn in Bennington, VT. Ed had an Indian dealership and Bob and him would talk motorcycles. Bob was the son that Ed never had. Ed Flynn was a bit of a wild man, and he and Bob were quite the pair. Mr. Flynn passed away and his widow didn’t know the value of the bikes and inventory; stuff started to disappear out of the dealership. Bob had a big heart and moved the widow up to one of his houses and took the remaining inventory back to his home. This inventory is still there, and is comprised of approximately 53 motorcycles, hundreds of parts including NOS, and memorabilia from the Indian dealership. Parts and bikes were stashed throughout his buildings and even under one of his houses. VanDerBrink Auctions and a group of bike guys from the area unearthed 2 Indians from his stash. You can get a firsthand look at these bikes coming out after many years.

Bob loved Indians and Harley Davidsons. He mostly rode Harley Davidsons, but he also enjoyed the history and uniqueness of Indian Motorcycles. When Indian was going to bring back the Indian brand, they brought a new bike for Bob and his “gang” to test. Unfortunately, it broke down on their first ride and they were treated to a Harley ride home.

Life was beginning to become hectic. Bob’s mail routes were now numbering seven and Teenie’s poultry farm was growing also. They took animals to the Vermont State Fair and many people came to their farm for purchases. At the farm there was everything from Russian deer to turkeys and even a fishing pond. Bob’s dad was an avid fisherman and confined to a wheelchair. Bob decided to dig a pond on his farm and stock it with fish creating a place for his dad to go fishing anytime. Bob then started allowing open fishing for any Veteran, disabled person and children. The Bearors hosted an annual fishing derby for years and provided a free banquet for the fisherman from the aforementioned groups. Hundreds of people would come out for a great day of fishing. This continued even after Bob’s passing until COVID.

Bob was diagnosed with kidney disease and tried to keep it from his precious Teenie, but she found the doctor letter. Like always, he wanted to take care of her and not her taking care of him. He passed away at their home with family. Even at the end, he wanted to go for a ride with Teenie on their motorcycle. He passed away and now the family has decided to sell his collection. Little did they know what all he had.

VanDerBrink Auctions, LLC visited the family in 2019, but COVID hit and delayed the auction. In May of 2021, motorcycle guys from New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire and I started to unearth the collection. In a chicken coup there were 14 frames and vintage Indian and Harley Davidson motorcycles. The museum was full of Indian and Harley Davidson memorabilia, parts which includes NOS parts. For 3 days, the crew dug in the buildings and unearthed 53 motorcycles from restored to vintage frames. Hundreds of early Indian and Harley parts, and a lot of memorabilia. Unfortunately, the location at the farm has no internet and no parking so everything will be moved to the Vermont State Fairgrounds and the auction will be held on August 14th, 2021 at 9:00am. There will be everything from classic cars, antique tractors, and even a chainsaw collection at the sale. And of course, the hoard of Indian and Harley Davidson Motorcycles and parts.The auction will be onsite with online bidding. Many of the motorcycle parts will be only for onsite bidders. So, it’s best to be at the auction! This truly is an amazing collection and you won’t want to miss it. To check out the catalog and hundreds of pictures and video www.vanderbrinkauctions.com. See you at the amazing Vermont Motorcycle Hoard-Bob Bearor auction on August 14^th, 2021 at the Vermont State Fairgrounds in Rutland, Vermont. 

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The story of Harley-Davidson serves as a parallel narrative of 20th century American culture and history. The company originated in the industrial age, was the eventual victor in a hard-fought business and racing struggle with rival Indian, and experienced low points as well as triumphs. The machines themselves developed in response to America’s cheap fuel and vast distances. Now, around the world, Harley-Davidson enjoys a cult-like status. The brand has for decades evoked strong emotion among both motorcyclists and observers.

Harley-Davidson will be examined through seven key themes. The themes are:

• Harley as an American innovation
• Harley versus Indian
• The ‘American Motorcycle’—why Harley?
• The situation is in doubt: Decline and AMF years
• Rebirth: The 1981 buy-back, a painful housecleaning and the success years
• “I don’t give a damn about my bad reputation:” Harley, Outlaws, American society, and other motorcyclists
• The future is in gear

Illustrating the Harley-Davidson story will be thirty-four important and beautiful examples of the brand. These examples will include vintage racing, touring, custom and service motorcycles. The vehicles will span from 1912 -1980.

Click Her For the Harley-Davidson Exhibit Vehicle List

The AACA Museum, Inc. has a spring exhibit opening planned forFriday, May 17 from 5:30 – 9:00 PM. This opening will be for all of their summer exhibits including“Studebaker Cool: 114 Years of Innovation”,“A Raymond Loewy Retrospective,” “Pontiac Oakland Club Keystone State chapter display,” and of course “Harley-Davidson: History, Mythology, and Perceptions of America’s Motorcycle. there will be a discussion on everything Studebaker followed by a book signing with Studebaker experts Andrew Beckman – archivist for the Studebaker Museum; Patrick Foster – Automotive Historian & Author, and Mark James – Hawk Expert & Author. The program will be moderated by Bill Rothermel an Automotive Historian and Writer. Visit AACAMuseum.org for pricing and full details. Advance registration is required to participate in this program.

About the AACA Museum, Inc.

The AACA Museum Inc., a Smithsonian Affiliate, displays beautifully restored automobiles, buses, and motorcycles in unique life-like scenes representing the 1890s – 1980s on a cross-country journey from New York to San Francisco. The AACA Museum, Inc. has been and remains an independent 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, not affiliated with The Antique Automobile Club of America. As one of the largest automotive museums in the country, AACA Museum, Inc. features special exhibits that change several times a year and focus on a variety of eras and types of vehicles – automobiles, buses, trucks, motorcycles and more. 

The AACA Museum, Inc. is home to the Cammack Tucker Collection; along with being the home of the Tucker Automobile Club of America. The Museum holds the World’s largest and most prestigious permanent collection of Tucker Automobiles and related artifacts. The Museum is in South Hanover Township, located just off Route 39, one mile west of Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, Pennsylvania. Regular admission $12.50, seniors age 61 and older $11.50, juniors age 4-12 $9.50, children age 3 and under, AACA Museum, Inc. Members and AACA Members are FREE. The Museum is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The AACA Museum is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. For further information, please call 717-566-7100 or visit www.AACAMuseum.org.

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National Motorcycle Museum, Anamosa, Iowa – Vintage Rally 2018, taking place June 23 & 24, 2018, is a great time to visit the National Motorcycle Museum, walk through the free Swap Meet and Bike Show and spend time with several special guests. 

Steve McQueen’s famed Indian Chief Chopper will be taken off display, fired up and discussed by American Pickers’ David Ohrt. Recently inducted Hall of Famer Gloria Tramontin Struck will discuss her life of riding and her new book. Harley-Davidson family member Jean Davidson will preview the upcoming Harley-Davidson Motor Company 115th Anniversary. 

The actual Vincent Black Lightning ridden by Rollie Free in 1948 across the Bonneville Salt Flats will still be on display in STREAMLINERSpresented by J&P Cycles. 

You are invited to enter antique and vintage bikes in the one day Bike Show, or sign up for a Swap Meet space in the two day Swap Meet. If you attend Vintage Rally 2018 on June 23 & 24, 2018 you can also enjoy J&P Cycles Iowa Rally that same weekend just up the road one one mile. 

For more information go to EVENTS on the National Motorcycle Museum website, www.nationalmcmuseum.org.

The National Motorcycle Museum is located in Anamosa, near Cedar Rapids, Iowa and is open daily year around. On display are over 500 motorcycles from all parts of the world, board track racers from the golden era of American board track racing and a 1920’s service station plus bicycles, pedal cars and thousands of pieces of memorabilia. 

National Motorcycle Museum
102ChamberDrive
PO Box 405
Anamosa, IA 52205
www.nationalmcmuseum.org

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