http://thevintagologist.tumblr.com/
BOWDEN “spacelander” Bike 1960
Fiber-glass bike designed by Benjamin Bowden and now for sale at Wright Auctions. “The original model included an electric motor that gathered energy on downhill and flat terrain and helped the rider climb hills.”
“It’s a 1930 Henderson that was customized before WW2 by a fellow called O. Ray Courtney and fitted with ‘streamliner’ bodywork. The art deco influence is obvious; legendary automotive designer Harley Earl could have drawn those curves. It’s all the more unusual because the mechanicals are hidden: even at the height of the Art Deco movement, most motorcycles were a triumph of form over function, with exposed cooling fins, brake drums and suspension springs. The bike is owned by collector Frank Westfall of Syracuse. It caused a stir in June 2010 when it appeared at the Rhinebeck Grand National Meet, a motorcycle show held a couple of hours drive north of NYC. Grail Mortillaro (of the chopper blog Knucklebusterinc) had a camera to hand, so we have him to thank for these images.”
Text/photos via CoolHunter.net. Additional photos via Google Image Search.
