Motorcycles Overtake Gilmore Car Museum for 21st annual Vintage Motorcycle Weekend

The Gilmore Car Museum, well known for its world class collection of nearly 400 historic automobiles and being North America’s largest auto museum, will shift its focus entirely to motorcycles on Sunday, June 12th. The date marks the 21st annual Vintage Motorcycle Show and Swap Meet held at the Museum and is considered one of the largest events of its kind in the Midwest. Thousands of motorcycles, from rare and iconic rides of the past 100 years, to the newest models driven by spectators, will rumble into the Gilmore Car Museum campus in Hickory Corners, MI. Those driven by spectators of the event, including new, old, and custom rides, receive the VIP treatment and take up a large portion of the Museum grounds in what Spezia describes as “a wonderful bike show itself.” “You'll see some of the best examples of original and restored vintage motorcycles at this event,” explains Museum Executive Director Michael Spezia. “And few extras this year.” The Vintage Show will feature antique and vintage motorcycles, scooters, and customs, all 25 years and older arranged in two areas. Judged on a points system will be the Master Class, representing the very best-of-the-best restored bikes. Peer judging will also take place, making up in several classes where the cycles will be displayed under their country’s flag of origin. Those that take part by showing their motorcycles during the show will also have a chance to win a brand new Klinger cycle trailer. Seminars and demos by some of the top experts in the motorcycle field will be offered throughout the day.The show also includes a large “Bike Corral” full of vintage motorcycles for sale, a huge cycle parts and memorabilia swap meet, and a special exhibit area that will showcase new motorcycles and offer demo rides. Included with admission to the show is the entire Gilmore Car Museum campus and exhibits of nearly 400 vehicles. In honor of the Museum’s 50th anniversary is a year-long exhibit highlighting the Museum’s original collection of automobiles as well as Special Exhibit “Mid-Century Performance” showcasing some of the rarest and most sought-after high performance cars of the 1960s and ’70s. Guests will also find a permanent exhibit hall dedicated to vintage motorcycles that includes the actual motorcycle used by “The Fonz” on the Happy Days TV series, and iconic brand names such as Vincent, Indian, Harley-Davidson and more. “The Museum hosts more than a dozen car shows each year,” Spezia continues, “and for this one, we completely shift our gears to all motorcycles.” A free pre-show Vintage Motorcycle ride is also scheduled for Saturday, June 13th and is open to all bikes 25 years old or older. Using the often heard slogan, “Ride ‘em, Don’t Hide ‘em,” the Gilmore Car Museum, and the show’s co-hosts Antique Motor Cycle Club of America – Wolverine Chapter, and the Vintage Japanese Motor Cycle Club, are hoping to encourage more classic iron to come out for the weekend. Those that wish to enter a vintage motorcycle in the show pay for the first bike and all additional bikes they show are free. For registration information please CLICK HERE. Whether you’re exhibiting, riding, or admiring one of the thousands of motorcycles, the 21st annual Vintage Motorcycle Show and Swap Meet on Sunday June 12th at the Gilmore Car Museum will certainly be the “don’t miss” cycle event of the year. Spectator admission to the Motorcycle Show is only $12.00 per person and includes all museum exhibits at no extra charge - those under 11 are FREE! Located just 20 minutes northeast of Kalamazoo on M-43 and Hickory Road.