![]() Beyond these fine achievements, the film was vital in launching the New Hollywood era of the late ‘60s and ‘70s.įurthermore, Easy Rider stands as a shining example of counterculture cinema, perfectly capturing the political climate and societal tensions present in 1960s United States. Finishing as the third highest-grossing film of the year, it also garnered Academy Award nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Jack Nicholson. Written by Terry Southern and stars Peter Fonda, and Dennis Hopper, Easy Rider was released in 1969 to critical acclaim and box office success. Following much reshaping, a dip of chrome, and a fresh coat of paint resembling the American flag and Captain America was born. Seat springs, front fender, and horn? You guessed it – gone. The Hydra-Glide’s panhead engine was retained, but little else of its original structure remained. Together, they set about building the now famous chopper. With a solid platform to start with, Fonda was joined by bike builders Cliff Vaughs and Ben Hardy. Protagonist Peter Fonda took the lead on the bike’s design, and even provided the original 1952 Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide – purchased from a police auction. Such it was, that when 1969 film Easy Rider commenced production, wheels were set in motion to build something to really get the audience’s hearts racing. If you’re making a movie about a couple of free spirits riding motorcycles across America, you better believe the bike needs to be something that stands out. Read on to discover what made it so special, and how it secured its place in motoring history! First appearing in the cult 1960s film, Easy Rider, this bike came to be recognised as so much more than just another bike. But when it comes to truly iconic, era-defining motorcycles, it’s hard to go past the legendary “ Captain America” Harley-Davidson chopper. If you’re a fan of something more classic, the Harley-Davidson Fat Boy may be the first bike you consider. Nowadays, when you think of world-famous motorcycles your mind will probably think of brands like Honda, Suzuki, Ducati, or Yamaha. The LA Times, "Dan Haggerty is the only guy who knows.The Captain America Chopper – Easy Rider’s American Icon Unfortunately, really figuring things out might not be so easy. At the time, he didn't know about the earlier sale. He had previously authenticated the just-auctioned Captain America but now regrets it. ![]() The LA Times also spoke with Fonda to try to unravel things. When asked, Haggerty told the newspaper that the original authentication was a "mistake", and the latest sale was for the real one. To be clear, this wasn't the bike that just sold for $1.35 million. The Los Angeles Times found a possible issue with that story because Haggerty sold a different Captain America in 1996, and he claimed that motorcycle was the genuine article. Memorabilia collector Michael Eisenberg was the last owner and put the bike up for this action. He restored it and sold Captain America years later. Grizzly Adams star Dan Haggerty worked on the set as a mechanic and was given the wrecked cycle at the end of production. One of those was crashed in the film's finale, and the three others were allegedly stolen prior to the premiere. A total of four motorcycles were reportedly made for the movie – two each for Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper's characters. Part of Captain America's allure was that there was supposedly just one left. However, a revelation about a possible problem with the bike's authenticity came to light just before the sale that could have been fit for a movie itself. Profiles in History's original estimate of as much as $1.2 million. ![]() Hemmings, and It handily beat auction house That wasĪ new record price ever paid for a cycle, according to Harley-Davidson motorcycle nicknamed Captain America from the '60s classicĪuction on October 18, or just over $1.6 million after applicable fees.
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