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The American Motorcycle Exhibit Showcases Rare Machines From The Bunch Family Collection At Petersen Museum
Starting March 15, the Petersen Automotive Museum will host a new exhibit featuring over 25 rare motorcycles. These bikes, from one of the world's most renowned collections, will be displayed in the Richard Varner Family Gallery on the museum's second floor. The exhibit, titled "The American Motorcycle: Pioneering Machines from the Bunch Family Collection," highlights some of the most historically significant motorcycles ever made.
The exhibition will showcase motorcycles from the late 1800s to the 1930s. Among them is the 1898 Cleveland Tricycle, notable for being one of America's earliest motorized cycles and featuring a pioneering front spring fork suspension. Another highlight is the 1904 Thomas Auto-Bi, produced by E.R. Thomas Company, which was America's first motorcycle manufacturer to design and build its own bikes.
Visitors can also see the 1905 Nelk, a rare model from Palo Alto known for its advanced technology at that time. It includes features like a rubber-mounted engine, water-cooling, and an overhead camshaft. The 1911 Marvel, designed by Glenn Curtiss—a self-taught mechanical engineer who also crafted engines for dirigibles and airplanes—is another significant piece in this collection.
The exhibit also includes a 1908 Indian Single owned by stuntwoman CeDora. She gained fame for her daring performances in the "Globe of Death," where motorcyclists defy gravity using centripetal force. Additionally, visitors can admire the 1936 Crocker Speedway Racer. Produced by Crocker in Los Angeles, these motorcycles often outperformed Harley-Davidsons and Indians and are now among the most valuable and rare motorcycles globally.
The exhibit opens to the public on March 15, 2025, at the Petersen Automotive Museum located at 6060 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, California. The museum operates daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering general admission tickets for $21 for adults and $19 for seniors aged 62 and above. Youth aged between 12-17 can enter for $13, while children aged four to eleven are charged $12.
Active military personnel with ID, personal care attendants, and children under four years old receive free admission. For more information about visiting or any inquiries, interested individuals can contact the museum at 323-930-CARS or visit their website at www.petersen.org.
The Petersen Automotive Museum Foundation operates as a non-profit organization under section 501(c)(3). Located at Wilshire Blvd., it aims to educate visitors about automotive history through its extensive exhibits and collections.
For media inquiries regarding this exhibit or other events at the museum, Teruko Morishita from Kahn Media is available via email at [email protected].
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