1949 POWELL P-81 Motorcycle Unrestored

Lot Number: 10

Time Remaining: 18d 1h 27m

Current Bid: $4,850.00

Start Time: 09/01/2026 12:00 PM Central

End Time: 11/09/2026 06:00 PM Central

Bid Count: 123

Location: 20114 Illinois Route 16, Nokomis, IL 62075

View Auction Catalog View & Bid on Member's Website

From the Don Henley Collection

See it run and drive!

1949 POWELL P-81
An Exceptional Original American Motorcycle
THE DON HENLEY COLLECTION
Springfield, Illinois
YEAR - 1949
MANUFACTURER - Powell Manufacturing Company
MODEL - P-81
CONDITION - Original — Never Restored
OWNERSHIP - Third Owner
STATUS - Runs and Drives
TITLE - Illinois Title
AACA
HPOF Certified — 2014 & 2015

A Remarkable American Original
The 1949 Powell P-81 presented here is an exceptionally preserved example of American two-wheel history. Unlike many surviving motorcycles of this era that have been extensively restored or modified, this P-81 remains in original, unrestored condition.

The motorcycle has been carefully preserved as an authentic representation of how a Powell P-81 appeared during its era. It remains operational and runs and drives, making it not only an important historical artifact but also a living example of American mechanical craftsmanship. This particular Powell has been in the present owner’s collection for many years. The present owner is the third owner of this remarkable specimen.

Original Documentation
Adding substantially to the historical significance of this motorcycle is its surviving original factory literature.
Included with the P-81 are:
• Original Powell Instruction Manual for the Model P-81
• Powell Factory Shop Manual
The survival of original factory literature with an unrestored motorcycle provides valuable documentation of the machine as it was delivered and serviced during its era. For a collector and museum-quality vehicle, original factory documentation is an important part of establishing provenance and preserving the history surrounding the machine.

A Survivor of the Postwar Era
Its original condition is itself part of its history. Every original finish, component, marking, and characteristic that has survived contributes to the story of the motorcycle. Rather than recreating what a new Powell looked like, this motorcycle documents what an actual Powell looked like after decades of real-world existence. For historians and collectors, an authentic survivor can provide information that may be lost when an example is completely restored.

National-Level Recognition
This Powell P-81 has received significant recognition at the national level through the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA).
2014 AACA — HPOF Certification
2015 AACA — HPOF Certification
HPOF stands for Historic Preservation of Original Features.
These certifications are particularly meaningful for this motorcycle because its greatest distinction is its originality. Recognition through the AACA HPOF program acknowledges the importance of preserving historic vehicles in their original, authentic state rather than automatically restoring them.
Receiving HPOF Certification in two consecutive years, 2014 and 2015, is an important part of this Powell’s documented collection history.

Preservation Over Restoration
This motorcycle illustrates an important principle of historic vehicle collecting:
Preservation can be more historically significant than restoration. A restoration attempts to return a vehicle to a particular appearance, often representing how it may have looked when new. A preserved original vehicle, however, retains the evidence of its actual life. This Powell has been allowed to retain that history. Its unrestored condition, original factory documentation, operational status, and national-level AACA recognition make it an unusually compelling example of American two-wheel preservation.

Ownership & Provenance
The current owner is the third owner of this Powell P-81. The motorcycle has been part of the present owner’s collection for many years and has been maintained as an original collector specimen. It retains an Illinois title and remains a functioning motorcycle that runs and drives. The combination of documented ownership, surviving original factory literature, operational condition, and preservation
makes this P-81 an important example for future generations of collectors and historians.

COLLECTION SIGNIFICANCE

1949 Powell P-81
Original Condition
Never Restored
Runs and Drives
Original Powell Instruction Manual for the Model P-81
Powell Factory Shop Manual
Third Owner
Illinois Title
AACA HPOF Certification — 2014
AACA HPOF Certification — 2015
The Don Henley Collection — Springfield, Illinois
Historical Perspective
The 1949 Powell P-81 stands at the intersection of several important chapters in American history:
• American manufacturing
• World War II industrial production
• Military transportation
• Postwar American motorcycle development
• The preservation of original vehicles

From Powell’s wartime production and airborne scooter heritage to the company’s return to civilian manufacturing after World War II, the P-81 represents an unusual chapter in American motorcycling.
This particular example carries that history forward in an especially authentic form. It has not been recreated. It has been preserved.

Museum Collection Statement
This 1949 Powell P-81 is preserved as an original and historically significant American two-wheeler. Its unrestored condition, surviving factory literature, documented ownership, operational status, and recognition by the Antique Automobile Club of America through two HPOF Certifications make it a noteworthy example of American transportation history. Preserved examples such as this allow future generations to see, study, and appreciate these machines not simply as restored objects, but as genuine survivors of their time.

Aumann Auctions is proud to present an extraordinary collection of incredible vintage automobiles and motorcycles spanning more than 90 years of motoring history. Headlined by the Don Henley Collection featuring some extraordinary Fords that are second to none! From the pioneering days of the 1914 Ford Model T Touring to the elegance and innovation of the great Classic Era, the collection offers an impressive journey through automotive history. Among the early Ford offerings are a 1925 Ford Model TT Fire Truck Pumper, 1933 Ford V8 Roadster Pickup and elegant 1935 Ford Deluxe Phaeton. But the real standout Fords are the pristine 1947 Ford Super Deluxe Sportsman and the 1947 For Super Deluxe Woody Wagon! Be sure to study all the documentation, awards, recognitions and photographs that prove these Fords to be of the absolute highest quality.

Along with Don's collection, we are proud to offer another great selection of cars from a fellow collector including an impressive 1936 Auburn Boat Tail Speedster, 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged, 1939 Cadillac Fleetwood V16, 1957 Cadillac Series 62 Eldorado Biarritz Convertible and a 1932 Cadillac V-16 Fleetwood! Some incredible 2-wheelers round out the offering with a 1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead, 1941 Indian Four with Sidecar, 1949 Powell P-81 Motorcycle, 1951 Whizzer Sportsman and a historic 1957 Forall Scooter! The collection brings together some of the most iconic names and designs of the American road. From early Fords and elegant pre-war classics to woodies, convertibles and legendary motorcycles, every corner of this collection reflects exceptional quality, craftsmanship and character. A remarkable collection. An exceptional opportunity.

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20114 IL RT 16, Nokomis, IL 62075