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Steven John Posson • POSSON SCULPTURE • Automotive Art • Motorcycle Sculpture • Fine Art Bronze We accept credit cards “Proudly Handmade in the U.S.A.” |
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Wild One
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It is in 1947, and he has just ridden into town on his bobbed Harley-Davidson knucklehead, looking for excitement. He has a war-surplus bomber jacket, sleeping bag, sunglasses and a go-to-hell hat. He's young and romantic and trouble and fun - an American original.
A group of young men on motorcycles rode into Hollister, California, a quiet little farm town with a dirt main street, it's 1947. They raced around, chased girls, got drunk and had fights. A photographer for Life Magazine happened to be there and sent in some posed photos. Life wrote the article as if Attila the Hun had arrived. Thus the “Biker” stereotype was invented. “The Wild One,” a movie starring Marlon Brando and Lee Marvin loosely based on the incident, became a cult favorite. In reality, Hollister saw them as young soldiers just back from a long and brutal war, which they had won. They deserved to blow off some steam. They were welcomed back the next year. Hollister is a favorite haunt still for many bikers, there is an annual event that attracts thousands of “bikers.” America liked the idea of Bikers. They were the rebellious loud happy spirit of youth on their big powerful motorcycles, the lone cowboy on his horse. America still likes the idea, look at the millions of black-leather clad folks on their motorcycles. They may be doctors, lawyers and plumbers during the week - but on the weekend, they are bikers!
Harley-Davidson had been making V-Twin motorcycles since the teens. In 1936 they introduced a bike with overhead valves, something new for Harley. Nicknamed “Knucklehead” for the shape of the valve covers; it was fast and dependable. In 1947 it was in its last year of production and affordable for a veteran. Removing the front fender and cutting off or “bobbing” the rear made it a bobber.
The biker has just ridden into town and stopped. He's sitting with one foot on the ground and the other still on the foot board, peering over his dark glasses checking out the scene. He's ready for adventure.
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Teardrop • Miller 91 • LA Deuce • Rendezvous • American Racer Bronze • American Racer Composite • Number 98
Running at the Lakes • Aston Martin • The Ride 42” • The Ride Maquette • Trident • Swinging • The Mechanic 50 Years of Daytona • Deuce Deuce • Taildragger • Wild One • Glory Days Contact us • Paypal coming! Thanks to all our great photographers; Frank Bez, Neil Nissing, David Gooley, Dale Reid and Dennis Swanson. All images copyrighted. © All Images and Sculpures Copyright 2007 Steve Posson • Motoring Sculpture |
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