The fast-talking Richard Rawlings of Gas Monkey Garage is not known for keeping secrets, but he has been sitting on a mess of motorcycles from the collection of famed flat track racer Denny "Kannonball" Kannenberg and he now plans to auction them off. Rawlings actually bought Kannenberg's collection, plus the land and buildings the vehicles were housed in, two years ago with the intent of running the bikes across the block shortly thereafter, but a global pandemic got in the way. So for a couple years, Rawlings has had a mountain of collectible motorcycles ready to go and will finally have a chance to sell them at the Worldwide Auctioneers event in Auburn, Indiana from September 10–11, 2021.
There's A Kannonball Collection A Coming
From 1956 to 1973, Denny Kannenberg earned the nickname "Kannonball" by racing in as many motorcycle events as he could. His aggressive riding style enabled him to compete in everything from ice races to flat track. While still racing, Kannenberg opened Sport Wheels, a cycle shop that would eventually specialize in used and salvage motorcycles. At one point, Kannenberg had three shops running, but today has just a single shop in Jordan, Minnesota.
While managing the operations, Kannenberg kept a close eye on the inventory that came through his shop and pulled anything aside that he felt might have some value down the line. That collection grew over time and became the nest egg of 165 largely original motorcycles that Rawlings will be auctioning with no reserve. Yes, you heard that right, the entire collection will be sold with no reserve.
The Kannenberg collection consists of racers, dirt bikes, street bikes, and mini-motorcycles. Much of the collection is comprised of bikes from the Big Four, but an array of other brands are also included, like Harley-Davidson, Moto Guzzi, Metisse, Hodaka, Bultaco, Maico and Ossa. Kannenberg possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of motorcycles and his instincts on what to keep for himself are exceptional. While the litany of bikes he stashed away are amazing, there remain a few standouts that will undoubtedly be the examples collectors will gravitate toward during the auction.
The Bikes Rawlings Hopes Will Make Him Even Richer
Parked among the other bikes in the Kannenberg collection are some real gems. In surveying the multitude of motorcycles, Kannenberg and Rawlings have pointed to a few that they think will be the highlight of the auction. These featured bikes include a 1942 Indian Four "440" with an original factory sidecar, a 1986 Honda CX500 Turbo once owned (and signed) by NHRA Champion “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, and a 1969 Kawasaki 500 III, referred to by enthusiasts as "The Widow Maker" due to its unadulterated power.
In typical Richard Rawlings fashion, the auction will be a major event, with tickets on sale for buyers and onlookers alike. Given the sheer volume of motorcycles crossing the block, the auction is likely to be a lively one as some magnificent machines come up for sale.