Classic Off-Road Bikes Featured in Braving Baja: 1,000 Miles to Glory Exhibition ~ Motorcycle News

Dave Ekins and Bill Robertson JR Photo by Ekins Family

Back in the 60s, American Honda tested the durability of its motorcycles by sending a CL72 Scrambler on a 950-mile trek through rocks, sand washes, dry lake beds, mountain passes and paved roads. Fifty years later, that legendary run is remembered for inspiring one of the most significant off-road races in the world—the Baja 1000. In celebration, the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles is hosting a tribute dinner, one-day off road show, and summer-long exhibition called Braving Baja, 1,000 Miles to Glory.

The Petersen will host its Baja Tribute Dinner on May 2 at 6pm., honoring Dave Ekins for that first run down the Baja peninsula on the Honda, and Parnelli Jones, a renowned racer of all genres, for his off-road racing success that includes multiple Baja 1000, Baja 500 and Mint 400 wins in his famously fabricated Bronco, “Big Oly.” Both Ekins and Jones will answer questions from the audience. Tickets for the evening of food, drinks and legends are available here.
The Baja Day Off-Road Show is Saturday, May 4, from 9am to 4pm. The off-road show is included in the daily museum admission rate for spectators, and participation is open to anyone with a vehicle that is off-road capable, including trucks, buggies, motorcycles, sand rails and more. Vendors will be on-site as well.

The Braving Baja: 1,000 Miles to Glory exhibition will run from May 4 through September 2, featuring artifacts of all sizes including significant motorcycles, trucks, buggies, clothing and ephemera. This never-before-seen collection of historic off-road racing vehicles will show where it all began and how it has evolved.
Vehicles on display will include:

1962 Honda Scrambler 250 (Bud Ekins)
1963 Triumph Cub
1964 Meyers Manx
1964 Triumph Desert Sled TR6-SC
1969 Husqvarna 500 Twin
1970 DKW 125
1970 Miller Havens VW single-seater (Drino Miller)
1971 Husqvarna 400 Cross (Gunnar Nilsson)
1971 Harley-Davidso
1974 Husqvarna 250CR (Mary McGee)
1975 Honda C&J 440 (replica / Baker-Cannaday/ Bell Honda overall winner)
1975 Rokon Automatic
1960 Bilstein VW Baja Bug (Doug Robertson)
1995 Honda XR228R (Mulder, Johnson, Dunlevey)
2003 Honda XR650R (Mouse McCoy “Dust to Glory”)
2004 Honda XR650R (Winningest Bike in Baja)
2012 Honda CRF450X

Proceeds from the Tribute Dinner and the Off-Road Show benefit the Petersen Automotive Museum’s educational programming. The Petersen is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational institution.
Go to www.BravingBaja.org to purchase tickets. Admission prices are $12 for general admission adults, $8 for seniors, $5 for students with ID, $3 for children ages 5 to 12. Museum members, active military with ID and children under five are admitted free. Vault tours are available for an additional $25, and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking is free for the first 30 minutes and $2.00 each additional 30 minutes. One hour validation with purchase of $20 or more in the Museum Store or Johnny Rockets located in the museum lobby. Museum hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 6pm. For general Museum information, call 323/930-CARS or visit the Museum’s web site. The Petersen Automotive Museum is located at 6060 Wilshire Blvd. (at Fairfax) in Los Angeles, CA 90036.

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