Mark's stoked with his rusty spokes
FORTY dollars is how much Mark Pillar dished out for a bike so rusted you could not even make out the brand or model of it.
It was a popular attraction at last week's Pig and Calf Sale, with many people stopping to take a look.
One group of gentlemen tried to rub off the rust, with no success, in order to solve the mystery of its origins.
Another debated if they could get it working again.
Mr Pillar stood by the bike waiting patiently for his chance to place a bid.
When the time came, Mr Pillar constantly went one up on the previous bid without hesitating.
"I need the exercise and I can't afford a new one," Mr Pillar joked.
"I'm actually going to hang it off the wall in front of my bar."
The bike was brought in by Matthew Carn.
"It was sitting in the back of my old man's shed," he said.
"He has now passed away.
"It has to be at least 40 years old."
Mr Carn said it used to be a racing bike.
"People will buy it because it is old and is a collectable item," he said.
"I have a reserve of $30 on it and if it didn't sell a guy from the antiques shop had offered to buy it."
Despite the front tyre being melted to the wheel, Mr Pillar was impressed with the condition of the bike.
"It is pretty near complete," he said. "It even has the original leather seat."
The bike was not the first antique Mr Pillar had purchased.
"I have a few little bits and pieces of antiques around my place."
Mr Pillar was happy he only had to go as high as $40 for the antique.
"It would probably be worth a lot more money to the right person."
