xcel
12-07-2007, 05:46 PM
His awe-inspiring stunts could take your breath away, but Evel Knievel's boundless optimism was the most heroic act. (http://www.latimes.com/classified/automotive/highway1/la-hyw-evel6dec06,0,6601105.story?coll=la-highway1-reviews-motorcycle)
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Evel_Knievel_in_the_early_days.jpgSusan Carpenter - Los Angeles Times - Dec. 6, 2007
Although not our mission, he had an impact on many. In more ways then one … The American Daredevil, Icon and Legend passed two weeks ago at the age of 69. God Speed Robert. -- Ed.
I think it's safe to say: There will never be another Evel Knievel. It's highly unlikely that any other human on Earth will attempt so many grandiose stunts with as much verve and swagger, knowing from experience that he is just as likely to break his body into bits as to walk away uninjured.
But that was Evel Knievel -- crazy around the edges, but quintessentially American and legendary. He died Nov. 30 at age 69 -- a milestone no one would have expected him to reach considering the multiple concussions and dozens of broken bones he'd suffered attempting to launch bikes over cars, buses, sharks and canyons.
Knievel's death prompted me to revisit an interview I'd had with the man back in June 2004. At the time, he was pimping his living-legend status -- driving around the country in a luxury RV, carrying a pet Maltese named Rocket on his lap and hauling a trailer packed with $3 million worth of legendary motorcycle memorabilia. Car and motorcycle dealerships all over the country were paying him $10,000 to $25,000 to show up, sign autographs and take rides with their employees and customers.
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/Evel_Knievel_wheelie.jpg--------http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/Evel_Knievel_at_Wembley_in_England.jpg
Possibly the most famous pic of a bike and rider – Evel Knievel on board.---Evel Knievel in London jumping 13 buses. Result – Crashed upon landing.
He was in failing health but still motorcycling, he said, because "I just feel if I do it, I'm going to get better."
On the day we met, Knievel was multi-tasking. He was combining a paid stop at Galpin Motors in Van Nuys with a visit to a pulmonary doctor at UCLA. Knievel's lungs were scarred from working in the copper mines of Montana when he was a teenager, and he'd been given three to five years to live, which is exactly how it played out. Knievel died at his condominium in Clearwater, Fla., after experiencing breathing difficulties resulting from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis… [url]http://www.latimes.com/classified/automotive/highway1/la-hyw-evel6dec06,0,6601105.story?coll=la-highway1-reviews-motorcycle
Evel Knieval and his Harley in the most watched and studied motorcycle crash in history – New Years Day, 1968 - Caesars Palace - Las Vegas, Nevada.
http://www.youtube.com/v/kYGGCVE2lKY
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Evel_Knievel_in_the_early_days.jpgSusan Carpenter - Los Angeles Times - Dec. 6, 2007
Although not our mission, he had an impact on many. In more ways then one … The American Daredevil, Icon and Legend passed two weeks ago at the age of 69. God Speed Robert. -- Ed.
I think it's safe to say: There will never be another Evel Knievel. It's highly unlikely that any other human on Earth will attempt so many grandiose stunts with as much verve and swagger, knowing from experience that he is just as likely to break his body into bits as to walk away uninjured.
But that was Evel Knievel -- crazy around the edges, but quintessentially American and legendary. He died Nov. 30 at age 69 -- a milestone no one would have expected him to reach considering the multiple concussions and dozens of broken bones he'd suffered attempting to launch bikes over cars, buses, sharks and canyons.
Knievel's death prompted me to revisit an interview I'd had with the man back in June 2004. At the time, he was pimping his living-legend status -- driving around the country in a luxury RV, carrying a pet Maltese named Rocket on his lap and hauling a trailer packed with $3 million worth of legendary motorcycle memorabilia. Car and motorcycle dealerships all over the country were paying him $10,000 to $25,000 to show up, sign autographs and take rides with their employees and customers.
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/Evel_Knievel_wheelie.jpg--------http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/Evel_Knievel_at_Wembley_in_England.jpg
Possibly the most famous pic of a bike and rider – Evel Knievel on board.---Evel Knievel in London jumping 13 buses. Result – Crashed upon landing.
He was in failing health but still motorcycling, he said, because "I just feel if I do it, I'm going to get better."
On the day we met, Knievel was multi-tasking. He was combining a paid stop at Galpin Motors in Van Nuys with a visit to a pulmonary doctor at UCLA. Knievel's lungs were scarred from working in the copper mines of Montana when he was a teenager, and he'd been given three to five years to live, which is exactly how it played out. Knievel died at his condominium in Clearwater, Fla., after experiencing breathing difficulties resulting from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis… [url]http://www.latimes.com/classified/automotive/highway1/la-hyw-evel6dec06,0,6601105.story?coll=la-highway1-reviews-motorcycle
Evel Knieval and his Harley in the most watched and studied motorcycle crash in history – New Years Day, 1968 - Caesars Palace - Las Vegas, Nevada.
http://www.youtube.com/v/kYGGCVE2lKY