Question: what’s got two wheels, stars-and-stripes coated bodywork and a starring role in one of the coolest films of all-time? Answer: you’re looking at it.
A total of four of the choppers were made for the production: this one, wrecked for the film’s blistering finale and later restored, then three others, all stolen ahead of the premiere – the missing bikes only adding to the legend behind old Cap’.
The bike, ridden by Peter Fonda in the film, had been snapped up by Fonda’s co-star Dan Haggerty who also worked on the set as a mechanic no less. Haggerty had it restored following the final smash, selling it years later before it eventually wound up owned by memorabilia collector and LA real estate worker Michael Eisenberg, who put the bike up for auction.
Such is the legacy of the bike, the sale hasn't been without controversy, with one Texan collector coming out of the woodwork to claim he owns the real one. But until we hear otherwise, the newly sold version is the real McCoy.
And to borrow a phrase from Indiana Jones, it belongs in a museum.
