Evel Knievel Sign Story

[R68GTO]

https://www.mecum.com/lots/LV0123-542774/1974-evel-knievel-snake-river-canyon-jump-site-sign/

This sign sold as part of the Jim's Forever Collection at Mecum Las Vegas for $17,700. Jim owned a Harley Davidson shop in my neck of the woods and was a motorcycle and memorabilia collector for more than 50 years.
How did Jim get this sign? Well a local guy and his buddies from my home town decided to road trip it out (over 27 hours one way) in his custom van to watch the Snake River jump. These guys were well known to always be walking a bit on the wild side. Well, once the whole jump thing was over, they decided to take a memento back with them so they grabbed this sign, loaded it in the back of their van and drove back home. These guys were customers of Jim's Harley Shop so at some point Jim acquired the sign from them. 49 years later $17.7K!
That local guy that led this escapade is now in his mid-70's and in a nursing home after leading a very hard life. I'm guessing he remembers that day like it was yesterday.

[Crush]

Great story!

[Diamond_Don]

Here is a look at an Evel Knievel poster that I personally pulled off a local (wooden) telephone phone pole in 1970 when I was 15 years old. I have to believe, like the Snake River sign, that it is the only one in existence !

[olredalert]

----Used to see Evel around Ft Liquerdale at any one of a dozen bars. Never talked to him, but would have liked to!....Bill S

[L_e_e]

I used to wash his Stutz Bearcat when I was a kid in Ft. Lauderdale

[JRSully]

Nice ROI!

[turbo69bird]

----Used to see Evel around Ft Liquerdale at any one of a dozen bars. Never talked to him, but would have liked to!....Bill S

My uncle who lived in Orlando and raced Harley’s in the dirt way back when knew him in the 70s, my uncle was 9th in the country at one point I always rode CR480s and CR500s because I was such a Fan of his no one else could even start them. Guys would ask to ride them in the pit and I’d say sure if you can start it
They never could, the 480 was left hand kick. Sometimes it would take the front half right off peoples work boots. 😂
I would never start it without motor cross boots that sucker was mean and nasty !

[TDW]

I bought my first Harley big twin from Jim's Harley in Mendon Ohio. About 50 years ago! Same place?

[R68GTO]

Yes, same place