True Evel at the H-D Museum Hot

True Evel: The Amazing Story of Evel Knievel at the Harley-Davidson Museum

Special Exhibit Runs July 10 Through September 6

Milwaukee (April 29, 2010) Marking the 35^th anniversary of Evel Knievel’s famous Wembley Stadium jump in London on May 26, 1975, the Harley-Davidson Museum will host True Evel: The Amazing Story of Evel Knievel, this summer celebrating the iconic stuntman’s life and legend.

 During his seminal attempt to jump 13 London buses, Knievel crashed on the landing, broke his pelvis, and announced a brief retirement to 90,000 fans following the event, although he later staged several other high-profile jumps. Acts like this cemented the legendary showman’s persona, which inspired people around the world including generations of would-be backyard daredevils and professional stunters alike, still reverberates today.

 “Like so many other kids growing up in the 1970s, I was a big fan of Evel Knievel, and I am thrilled to bring this exhibit celebrating his amazing life and career to a new audience. His spirit resonates with people of all ages, and there definitely is a little Evel in all of us, even if you’ve never ridden a motorcycle,” said Bill Davidson, Vice President of the Harley-Davidson Museum.

 In that spirit, the Harley-Davidson Museum invites visitors this summer to an exhibit that celebrates America’s favorite daredevil through an exclusive, first-of-its-kind temporary exhibition – the largest the Museum has ever presented.

 Setting numerous death-defying feats over his career, Knievel’s bike of choice was the Harley-Davidson XR-750 and he was sponsored by the Motor Company through most of the 1970s.  From Knievel’s early start as a side-show character in Butte, Montana, to his transformation into a larger-than-life master showman, marketer, and folk hero with international appeal, the 10,000-square-foot exhibit will engage visitors with the story of the man behind the seemingly fearless performer.

Visitors will see legendary pieces including his signature leathers and cane, personal photographs and letters, collectors’ toys and memorabilia, and the rocket-inspired Skycycle X-2 used in Knievel’s infamous 1974 attempt to jump Idaho’s Snake River Canyon.

The exhibit runs July 10 through September 6 and tells the story of Evel Knievel through fascinating artifacts drawn from both the Harley-Davidson Archives and the Knievel family collection. For more information about the True Evel exhibit or the Harley-Davidson Museum, log onto h-dmuseum.com/visit.