Motorcycles Around the World 2012 Antique Motorcycle Exhibit Now until May 20, 2012

The National Packard Museum, in partnership with the Lake Erie Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America is proud to announce that its Annual Antique Motorcycle Exhibit, “Motorcycles Around the World” opens Saturday, January 14th. This exciting exhibit will feature more than 30 different motorcycles built in Austria, Canada, England, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Slovenia, Sweden, the United States and the former Czechoslovakia and East Germany.

“This is the Museum’s 12th Annual Antique Motorcycle Exhibit. Over the years we have displayed over 350 different antique and vintage machines,” notes Exhibit Curator Bruce Williams, of Cortland, Ohio.
  
“While the museum’s Motorcycle Exhibit Committee has been planning for “Motorcycles Around the World” since last June, we are always looking for significant bikes that might be displayed in the future. Our antique motorcycle exhibit has a national reputation for excellence, and we now have owner’s contacting us offering to loan us their bikes for display,” notes Williams.

“The museum’s Annual Antique Motorcycle Exhibit attracts visitors from all across the world. During last year’s exhibit the museum welcomed guests from 30 different states and 11 foreign countries,” notes museum Executive Director, Mary Ann Porinchak.

One of the highlights of “Motorcycles Around the World” is a 1942 Harley Davidson “Knucklehead” originally owned by the legendary actor, and noted Packard aficionado, Clark Gable. This significant American-built machine is on loan from Joe Hassett, of Ashtabula, Ohio.

This year’s exhibit will pay tribute to the world’s oldest motorcycle road race. Since 1907, thrill seekers have ventured to the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea to compete for the Tourist Trophy more commonly known as the “Isle of Man TT.”  Exhibitor Todd Welch of Ravenna, Ohio has raced at the Isle of Man and his British-built 1972 Triumph T-140 Road Racer will be on display along with a 1975 Harley Davidson Americhi Model RR-250 Road Racer built in Italy, and a Japanese-built 1973 Yamaha RD-350 Road Racer.

Continuing with the racing theme, “Motorcycles Around the World” will feature the Austrian-built 1973 Penton on which rider and owner, Paul Danik, of Mars, Pennsylvania won a gold medal in the ISDT (International Six Day Trial). The ISDT, nick-named the “Olympics of Motorcycles” is a grueling on-road/off-road time, speed, and distance competition. ISDT riders must carry everything with them needed to maintain their bike. No mechanics or pit crews are allowed! The museum’s ISDT exhibit will also include a German-built 1957 NSU Maxi- 175, a German-built 1957 BMW- ISDT, a Swedish-built 1974 Husqvarna 250-WR, and a Canadian-built 1977 Can-Am Model 175 TNT.

For the fifth year in a row, the museum will present a Saturday morning Lecture Series in conjunction with the Exhibit. These educational seminars are free and open to the public.

This year’s Lecture Series includes:

February 18, 2012               Topic: The Lincoln Highway Revisited
Presenter: Bob Lichty, Canton, Ohio, Past President of the Lincoln Highway Association and former board member of the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor

Time: 11:00 pm- 12:00 pm
March 24, 2012                    Topic: Tales of an ISDT Rider
Presenter: Paul Danik, Mars Pennsylvania

Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

April 21, 2012                       Topic: “Seasoned Rider” Motorcycle Safety
(with a focus on antique bikes)
Presenter: Al Navecky, Warren, Ohio

Time: 11:00 am- 12:00 pm

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