On entering the hotel forecourt at the Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay, the first two-wheelers we encountered were a pair of MTT Jet bikes! Numbers 17 and 18 produced thus far; apparently there are that many people willing to pay $150k for a new motorcycle that melts car bumpers in traffic. Below is a video of the bike firing up in the forecourt of the Ritz, and filling the whole area with smoke!
The sartorial accessory of the event (for the judges) was a Rolex Daytona, in varying shades of gold, stainless, and platinum. It’s the watch du jour of motorcyclists who have ‘made it’. The large belly was optional, but seemingly preferred, as it was popular.
Make mine a Daytona! Rolex was the most popular watch among the judges. [Paul d’Orleans]Oriol Puig Bulto was a founder of Bultaco, and a former Spanish national road race champion, who is now an executive with the FIM, and lovely fellow all around. The epitome of European graciousness, very kind and approachable – several of ‘his’ motorcycles were on display, one took a first in its class (a Bultaco Pursang). While most of the judges wore navy blazers (as instructed) on Saturday, he wore a blue quilted Hermes riding jacket, which made my blue metallic patent leather Gucci loafers look gauche. I’ll always be nouveau, never riche.Oriol Puig Bulto was a perfect ambassador for European motorcycling. [Paul d’Orleans]Pete Gagan is the president of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America, with his wife Mary Jane on the right (neglected to get the other woman’s name – bad journalism). Pete walked with a cane, as he’s having an ankle replacement surgery next month, a procedure not available in the US. Oh, Canada, indeed. Pete brought several impeccable machines, including a replica of Oliver Godfrey’s 1911 TT winning Indian. Clean and correct enough to win a prize, but as he’d essentially made the bike around an original type engine, it wasn’t eligible for judging. Our dictum from Ed Gilbertson, Chief Judge (and head honcho at the Pebble Beach Concours), was ‘no ringers will be given prizes’.Pete and Mary Jane Gagan, with an unidentified friend. [Paul d’Orleans]Pete Gagan’s replica 1911 Indian Isle of Man TT winner with 637cc motor. [Paul d’Orleans]Jared Zaugg is the founder of the Legends (with his wife Brooke Roner and a considerable army of helpers), and is pictured here with Pete Young and Kim Lohstroh Young (co-founder of the Motorcycle Arts Foundation) along with Anney Rageys, owner of the amazing 1938 Velocette KTT MkVII, which the family brought from France and fired up for the first time on Friday. A compelling story; they had been trying to buy back the bike from a collector for 20 years, and only managed to purchase it two months ago.Jared Zaugg, Pete and Kim Young, and Anney Rageys. [Paul d’Orleans]Mark and Christine Upham are the owners of British Only Austria, visiting from their village near Salzburg. Mark is English, Christine is Austrian, and they make a lovely couple, as Mark is very entertaining. Mike Fitzsimon’s wife with Johnathan White, my judging partner and vintage road racer. He worked 35 years with DomiRacer, is a former road racer, and is now on his own selling vintage Italian motorcycle parts, and has the driest sense of humor I’ve ever encountered.Mark and Christine Upham of British Only Austria with Johnathan White and Mike Fitzsimon’s wife. [Paul d’Orleans]Kim Young is pictured here with Aude Rageys, who rides her grandfather’s Velocette MkVII KTT, and races other vintage machinery in France. I carried her grandfather’s TT Replica trophy during the Judge’s Reception, and didn’t want to let it go! They’re perfect carrying size, and no I didn’t take a photo. I knew I was in trouble when I saw Aude striding around the Legends grounds in her riding gear on Sat, but when she fired up the MkVII and rode it around (on an open megaphone – sounded fantastic), I was sunk. On leaving Sunday, she said to please come attend the vintage meeting at Spa-Francorchamp with her, and handed me her card; turns out she’s the Marquise de Roully de Salles…Kim Young with Aude Rageys. [Paul d’Orleans]Anne from Smith and Hawken (one of the show sponsors) did all the greenery for the Legends, with one of the adorable motorcycle topiaries placed all around. Yes, I snagged one. Trio of hot blondes includes my wife Darcy and two of the Lucky girls, no comment, but Lucky jeans was also a show sponsor.Smith and Hawken supplied the motorcycle topiaries. [Paul d’Orleans]Final pic is Darcy in front of the Jaguar XK150 which I’m now obligated to purchase, as it matched her lovely Marni outfit. Anything you want, babe. Although she’s more likely to get the ’53 Triumph Thunderbird which went unsold at the Bonham’s auction Saturday, which also matched, in that great blue-grey color, same as Marlon Brando rode in the Wild One (I know, the movie was in black and white).Darcy Campbell with the Lucky ladies. [Paul d’Orleans]Anything you want, dear. I did in fact buy the 1950 Triumph Thunderbird that matched her dress, but she promptly refused the bike, and now it lives with Justin Kell of Glory Motorworks in LA. I reckon she’d have kept the Jag… [Paul d’Orleans]Paul d’Orléans is the founder of TheVintagent.com. He is an author, photographer, filmmaker, museum curator, event organizer, and public speaker. Check out his Author Page, Instagram, and Facebook.
Shinya’s also my favorite custom builder. Great photos, thanks.