“Queens of the Road” Rule the Motorcycle Class at Amelia Island 2019

Reader Contribution by Somer Hooker.
Published on April 5, 2019
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John Landstrom’s 1932 Henderson KJ was best in the motorcycle class.

This was the 24th Amelia Island Concours, where there has always been a spot for motorcycles. Often, Amelia’s classes have themes, such as “Nitro Burners” (drag cars) or “Cars of the Rock Stars” where celebrity vehicles such as Janis Joplin’s Porsche were on display. In the past the cycle class has featured such things as “Beach Racers” or scooters. This year it was “Queens of the Road,” the big bikes that past and present have run up and down the highways. Most nationalities represented would have been the largest displacement available in their country. A pre-war Brough Superior SS100 was about as big as it got in pre-war England. In the U.S. the massive Fours of Indian and Henderson had the final word on ruling the roads. Post-war England would have deferred to the Vincent V-twins. Post-war examples were a brace of Vincent Twins, a Shadow and a Touring Rapide. A Danish Nimbus rounded out the post-war “Big Girls.” Several Indian Fours and a Henderson Four showed American muscle and elegance.

The Capricorn Collection’s Indian Four with “World’s Fair” paint scheme. It was the recipient of the “Wind in Your Face” award.

This year John Landstrom’s 1932 Henderson KJ Streamliner was best in class. There are no “seconds” just Amelia awards to other bikes of significance. The Venable family’s 1950 Vincent Black Shadow received an Amelia, as did Jack Well’s Brough Superior SS100. The Capricorn Collection’s 1939 Indian World’s Fair Four was the recipient of the “Wind in Your Face” award, which is a Jeff Decker sculpture. All finalists have to be able to put a little wind in their face too. You have to ride your bike up to receive your award, which is as it should be.

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