Gelbke 'Auto Four' goes to auction in USA

Scheduled for this June 1 - 3, Auction America by RM's 'Auburn Spring Auction' has attracted a diverse range of car consignments, but the Gelbke motorcycle, listed in the auction as an 'Auto Four' is one of the auction's few motorcycle consignments.

Rolling on a mammoth 75-inch (1.9 metre) wheelbase, the Auto Four is one of less than ten that were built by William 'Wild Bill' Gelbke through the 1970s, and came after the Chevy four-cylinder powered 'Roadogs', two of which were built in the late 1960s.

The lot on offer through Auctions America by RM is believed to be the second Auto Four built, and features a frame entirely of Gelbke's own construction. Similarly, the swingarm and fuel tanks (a 9.5lt one at the front, and much larger 47lt one at the back) were also scratch-built.

The bike is powered by a BMC A-Series 1275cc (80ci) four-cylinder engine more commonly found in the Mini Cooper and various Austin and Morris 1300 sedans, coupled to an automatic transmission with four forward gears and reverse.

Front suspension is Harley-Davidson, while most of the rest of the Auto Four uses General Motors components, including the headlights (Chevrolet), tail lights (Cadillac) and turn signals (Chevy truck).

Given its mammoth size and weight (just under one ton), you'd expect it to be a real handful, but the Auto Four is reported to ride smooth and vibration free, at up to 140 kph, but the turning circle ain't great - around 3 metres!

Finished in white with black flames, the Auto Four is something truly different! Auctions America by RM expect the Auto Four to make somewhere in the region of US$30,000 - US$35,000.

Auctions America by RM's Auburn Spring Auction takes place in Auburn, Indiana this June 1 - 3. Further details on this and other lots can be found at www.auctionsamerica.com