Re: [emrat:2118] Re: Gunther Toody's

Every Gunther Toody's I've been to has had at least one motorcycle prominently displayed.  Usually a Harley but often a Triumph, BSA or similar Brit bike to lend it authentic '50's Cred...

 

(I could go off on a tangent wondering how much of the "50's Nostalgia" is based on actual nostalgia for the 50's and how much of it is based on nostalgia for the 70's which is when the big wave of 50's nostalgia hit, but that would be a better topic for another day.) 

 

But every time I see one of these motorcycle displayed like this, I have to wonder:  Is it an actual motorcycle that has been cosmetically restored to serve as a prop in a restaurant?  (And not just a restaurant - other types of shops often use motorcycles or cars as props. particularly clothing stores.)  Or is it some kind of replica that was manufactured to serve as a prop? 

 

If it's an actual motorcycle (as most of them appear to be - they have details on them that a "replica" would likely leave off) then the question remains:  Where did it come from?  Who restored it and sold it? 

 

It makes me think that somewhere out there, there must be a company that is in the business of buying old motorcycles, restoring them cosmetically, draining the fluids and otherwise polishing them up, and then selling them to restaurants and other businesses. 

 

Or maybe there is a motorcycle dealer out there who specializes in this?  And should we love this person because he or she is helping to keep old motorcycles from going to the junk heap or should we hate him/her for buying up motorcycles that otherwise might have been resored and ridden by an actual rider? 

 

The same also applies to the cars and trucks sometimes used as props (I'm thinking of the late 40's - early 50's Chevy pickup and the FJ-40 Land Cruiser that are used to display clothing and other items at Bass Pro Shops.)  I'm guessing the 4 wheeled vehicles are likely either manufactured props or that they are mere "shells" that can easily be pushed around from one part of the store to another, besides, they wouldn't want something with a leaky wheel cylinder or axle seal dripping on their floor.) 

 

Anyone know?  And am I the only person who thinks of things like this? 

 

Martin

 

From: Doc <docmurdoch@comcast.net>
To: emrat@googlegroups.com
Cc: Chris Peltz <peltz.chris@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, February 4, 2013 9:10 AM
Subject: [emrat:2118] Re: Gunther Toody's

Lov it!

On Sunday, February 3, 2013 3:07:15 PM UTC-7, Peltz wrote:

I went to Gunther Toody's at 104th Ave today for my daughter's 14th birthday -- I haven't been to one in years.  But, I was excited to be welcomed by a sweet Triumph Bonnie sitting right above the booth we ate at (picture attached). Maybe they have a Bonnie in every restaurant and I just didn't notice, but pretty cool.

 

 

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