Description
Charterhouse Auctioneers are pleased to offer this bike for immediate purchase in our private treaty sale
Frame number 938
Engine number T100 65654
The Metisse factory records show that this bike was exported in 1966 to well known Los Angeles dealer and competitor Bud Ekins
Bud and his very close friend Steve McQueen along with Cliff Coleman and Bud’s brother Dave formed the first USA team to compete in the 1964 International Six Days Trial in East Germany
This machine is fitted with a very distinctive footrest arrangement. The left exhaust pipe is high level and the right is quite low. There are also two holes drilled in the rear of the seat. We can assume that the seat was drilled to make the it softer and we do know that Steve liked his seat as soft as possible due to a medical condition
A photograph shows Steve McQueen working on a bike having all these features so it is possible that this may have been one of his machines. Further investigation may confirm this
Steve described his MK 3 Metisse as quote - 'This rig is the best handling bike I've ever owned'
The bike was imported back to the UK in 2008 and purchased by the present owner in its present condition July 2020
At this time it was still fitted with a larger desert race fuel tank. Unfortunately this tank was leaking so it was replaced with a smaller standard one
Silencers have been fitted to the exhaust pipes at some stage
Supplied with the large fuel tank, USA owner’s document, Metisse factory record sheet and purchase invoice
Bud Ekins was also a famous Hollywood stuntman. He rode a different motorcycle for the famous jump in the film ‘The Great Escape’ and drove the Mustang in the car chase in the film ‘Bullitt’
All lots in this sale are sold as is and bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Please read our terms and conditions
For more information, please contact our salerooms
