A striking, aircraft‑shaped motorcycle built by legendary American racer Don Vesco is set to cross the auction block in Arizona next month, drawing attention for both its unusual design and record‑breaking history.
The vehicle, known as the 1975 Vesco Racing Silver Bird Lightning Bolt Streamliner, resembles an airplane without wings, a design choice that helped air flow smoothly over the motorcycle, reducing drag and allowing it to reach extraordinary speeds. The streamliner was built by Vesco specifically for racing on the Bonneville Salt Flats, according to the Mecum Auctions website.
The Silver Bird and the Lightning Bolt are not two separate machines. “The Silver Bird and the Lightning Bolt are the same motorcycle,” the spokesperson told Newsweek. “Think of it as being split down the middle; one side is the Silver Bird, and the other is the Lightning Bolt.”
Tech
The motorcycle will be sold at no reserve, meaning it will go to the highest bidder, regardless of price. Mecum Auctions said the sale will take place at Mecum Glendale at State Farm Stadium from March 17 to 21, with gates opening at 8 a.m. PT each day. While the auction itself is in‑person and live, registered bidders will also be able to participate online or by phone.
“With the motorcycle selling at no reserve, there is really no telling what the starting bid will be,” the Mecum Auctions spokesperson told Newsweek. “It will all depend on the room and who is looking to take this unique motorcycle home.”
The Silver Bird first made history in 1975, when it became the first motorcycle to break the 300 mph (miles per hour) barrier. Powered by two Yamaha TZ750 engines, the streamliner set an international record of 303 mph, according to the Mecum Auctions listing.
Three years later, Vesco transformed the same motorcycle into the Lightning Bolt. In 1978, the vehicle debuted a new paint scheme and swapped its engines for two Kawasaki 1000cc engines. That same year, Vesco broke his own speed record, reaching 318.6 mph, a mark that stood for 12 years.
Also in 1978, Vesco achieved another milestone when he became the only motorcyclist to win Hot Rod magazine’s “Fastest Flying Mile” trophy at Bonneville Speed Weeks, beating all competing cars.
The motorcycle being auctioned comes with a collection of additional items tied to its racing history. Mecum Auctions says that included with the sale are a trailer, the 1975 record‑setting TZ 750cc Yamaha engine displayed on a stand, a driving suit, boots, a helmet, and vintage photographs.
Vesco’s accomplishments extend well beyond the Silver Bird and Lightning Bolt. His racing career included flat track and road racing, and his achievements earned him induction into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2004, the Mecum Auctions website notes.
Earlier in his career, Vesco became the first American to win the United States Motorcycle Grand Prix at Daytona in 1963. Decades later, in 2001, he set the international land speed record for a wheel‑driven car while driving the Turbinator, reaching 458 mph, a record that still stands today.
Do you have a technology-related story to share? Let us know via life@newsweek.com, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
