100 Years Of Harley Davidson Roars Into Te Papa
An exhibition celebrating the hundredth anniversary of Harley-Davidson - one
of the world's best known and most popular motorcycle manufacturers -opens at Te Papa on 6 February 2003. The exhibition
features iconic and unusual motorcycles from the last 100 years. It also tells the dramatic story of the Harley-Davidson
Motor Company and looks at Harley riders in New Zealand.
Actual motorcycles featured in Harley-Davidson: 100 Years include a military bike specially made for World War II, an
extremely rare 1929 racing Peashooter, and the latest anniversary 2003 VRSCA V-Rod. Other favourite Harley-Davidson
models such as the Fat Boy, Sportster, Hydra-Glide, and Sturgis are also on display.
Founded in a backyard shed in Milwaukee at the beginning of the twentieth century by three brothers and their next-door
neighbour, the Harley-Davidson Motor Company overcame major obstacles - including competition from the motorcar and
imported motorcycles, the Great Depression, and nervous bankers - to become the oldest continuously producing motorcycle
company in the world.
New Zealand has many Harley-Davidson enthusiasts. The exhibition will feature a number of local Harley owners and their
beloved bikes, and take a look at local Harley culture. The Kiwi Harley enthusiasts are a diverse bunch - including
Chatham Islanders, Hot Rodders and a female Harley-Hearse driver - all bound by a love of their bikes. Their stories
will be told in this exhibition, and some will feature in a series of exhibition floortalks.
The exhibition also features several short films exploring many aspects of the Harley-Davidson story and a range of
memorabilia and clothing. There will also be a chance for visitors to feel what it's like to sit astride a
Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
'Harley-Davidson's hundredth anniversary celebrations have given us an excellent opportunity to showcase an important
part of international popular culture,' said Dr Seddon Bennington, Chief Executive of Te Papa. 'Over the last 100 years,
Harley-Davidson has combined technological innovation with a distinctive image and attitude that has in turn influenced
different parts of New Zealand culture.' Harley-Davidson: 100 Years runs in the Ericsson Zone until 2 June 2003.
Admission charges apply.