‘Race of Gentlemen’ Roars Into Harley-Davidson Museum
New photography exhibit runs through September 4 in Milwaukee.
If you missed the 1940s cultural celebration that is “The Race of Gentlemen” last month, you now have an opportunity to experience it in a different way. A new Race of Gentleman exhibit has set up shop at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and is running through September 4. The special display brings a collection of awesome bikes and amazing photography to “The Garage” on H-D’s museum campus.
Since 2012, The Race of Gentlemen has celebrated vintage motorcycles and hot rods on the beaches of New Jersey. This year’s event took place on June 9th-11th, attracting record crowds and dozens of examples of incredible machinery. TROG, which originally took place during World War II on the dry lakes of California, was resurrected thanks to the efforts of the Oilers Car Car and Motorcycle Club.
Today, it’s all about celebrating the culture that very same club helped foster beginning back in 1947. Participants must adhere to strict rules that require period correct aesthetics and parts. The Harley-Davidsons you see are mostly pre-1947 models with a stripped down, bobber style. And you’ll experience several of these awesome rides firsthand at the museum’s TROG exhibit.
That includes a 1946 Knucklehead and a 1947 UL, both of which are TROG racing veterans. All-in-all, over a dozen hot rods and motorcycles are on display. All of which underwent a restoration specifically for the purpose of vintage racing. Flanking these retro machines is an amazing collection of photography from David Carlo and Cory Piehowicz that is truly a feast for the eyes.
If you’ve never been to either The Race of Gentlemen or the H-D Museum, now you’ve got a great reason to explore both. Just tell your spouse that you’re taking the kids on an “educational field trip.” That should do the trick.
