Showing posts with label old movies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label old movies. Show all posts

Friday, April 22, 2011

Boys of Bonneville

Boys of Bonneville features the inspiring story of Ab Jenkins, the man who broke the most land speed records ever. Some of his records stood for 50 years. He was the pilot of the "Mormon Meteor." He became a national hero. And he was a good man.

Jenkins' interest in velocity began while racing motorcycles as a young man from Salt Lake City. He raced 1/2 mile and cross country and went on to establish the Bonneville Salt Flats as the home for speed. Check out this inspiring trailer for the film "Boys of Bonneville".


Boys of Bonneville Movie Trailer from Price Museum of Speed on Vimeo.




Friday, February 11, 2011

Two 1930s Motorcycle Racing Films


I love the old images of the American sport of motorcycle hillclimbing. In the USA, hillclimbing means riding straight up a very steep, unpaved  hill to see who can go the farthest. In the case where more than one rider reaches the top, the winner is the one who got there the fastest. In the British Isles, "hillclimbing" is a much different sport, where one races to the top of a hill, on paved, gradual, curving roads where the race looks more like a gran prix.

In the video below, most bikes are Harley Davidsons or Indians, but I spotted at least two that look to be British steeds. That heart shaped Triumph timing case is unmistakable.

1930s Motorcycle Hill Climbing, California, USA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUfkoUMQTAU





 The second film was shot in the 1930s in Keene, New Hampshire, USA. I would love to have a go at what looks like a primitive, dusty, rough-riding experience.

1930s Motorcycle Racing, Keene, NH, USA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9PrGhmdFTY