1914 Pope Model L
SOLD
Pope like Pierce was an automobile manufacturer who ventured into Moto-Cycle manufacturing after building bicycles under the Columbia brand in 1902. Pope was the first manufacturer to veer away from “F-Head” design and produced the first Overhead Valve in late 1912. Only Pope and the Joerns Manufacturing Cyclone shared overhead valve bragging rights at the time.
World Champion Trials Medalist, Hollywood Stuntman, and Triumph dealer Bud Ekins spent years searching for this early Pope for actor Steve McQueen who regularly hung out at skins dealership. Ekins restored it and McQueen owned and rode it until he passed.
Therefore there are minor scratches and a few chips in the painted finishes and the nickel plated engine has some very slight yellowing from heat. The machine then became an iconic piece in the Otis Chandler Museum (LA), and was resultantly highly published in numerous books.
The current owner purchased this legendary machine from a member of the Chandler family. It has recently been thoroughly mechanically inspected and had the motor freshened by Steve Huntzinger to ensure its operational condition is proper. Purchase includes original California license plate and McQueen ownership documentation.