100 Years Of Harley Davidson Roars Into Te Papa

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.

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