A number of British motorcycles, including this Vincent are included.
Subtitled "The Romance of Man and Machine," a new exhibit of an international collection of motorcycles has opened in St. Petersburg at the Florida International Museum. This 80-bike exhibit showcases the collection of the late Trevor Deeley, Canada's leading motorcycle importer. The machines on display span 100 years years and come from all over the world. Excerpts from the Florida International Museum's release follow, and directions and further information about the Museum may be found on its website: www.floridamuseum.org.
"St. Petersburg, FL: Florida International Museum (FIM), Cultural Networks International (CNI) and Fred Deeley Imports are pleased to announce the launch of the North American tour of the Mystique of the Motorcycle exhibition at the Florida International Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida on December 18, 2002 and continuing until April 27, 2003.
"This exciting 12,000 square foot exhibition explores the allure of the motorcycle over the last 100 years. The motorcycle's use as a means of transportation, wartime vehicle, expression of lifestyle and art form are depicted through 80 motorcycles from Trevor Deeley's prized collection, representing 25 worldwide manufacturers.
Deeley distributed Harleys in Canada starting in 1973, and this 1920 Harley is part of the collection.
"Trevor Deeley was a motorcycle racer whose family owned Canada's first Harley-Davidson dealership. The family business imported several brands for wholesale distribution. He was a pioneer in bringing Japanese motorcycles to the English-speaking world. Since 1973, the company he founded has been the exclusive Harley-Davidson distributor for Canada, having a network of 75 independently owned outlets.
"As older manufacturers went out of business, Mr. Deeley shopped the world for rare and limited edition motorcycles. This collection has motorcycles from the turn of the century to present day and includes such names as Ariel, Brough Superior, BSA, Harley-Davidson, Indian, Royal Enfield, Triumph, Vincent and Velocette. This exhibit is more than one person's passion for motorcycles, it's the thousands of miles and untold stories that only the imagination can revive from the silent, glorious machines on display."
Before the Japanese arrived a decade later, bikes like this 1949 Whizzer catered to whatever small-bike market existed in the U.S.
Regular admission is $12 for adults, $11 for college students and seniors 65+, $6 for students. Children under 6 are free. The museum is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Last entry to the museum is at 4 p.m. daily.
For more information please contact the Florida International Museum at 727-822-3693 or visit www.floridamuseum.org.