14th Packard Museum motorcycle exhibit through May in Warren

WARREN

To walk through the display of antique and classic motorcycles at the National Packard Museum is to visit history as it was experienced on two wheels for more than 100 years.

The 14th Annual Antique Motorcycle Exhibit, “Motorcycles 3 for 10,” which runs till May 31, features three two-wheelers for each decade of the 20th Century, starting with a 1904 Columbia Single. With a horsepower slightly above 2, the Columbia is the oldest motorcycle on display.

“It could get up to 30 miles per hour,” said Bruce Williams, the show’s curator. “You had to pedal to start the engine and when you stopped, you had to pedal to start again.”

Hanging above each trio of cycles are graphics that illustrate the “3 for 10” theme with lists of world news, development of motorcycles and the history of Warren-based Packard cars.

One cycle, a 1915 Austro Omega built in Austria, is completely original with no restored or rebuilt parts.

For more on the show, read Sunday's Vindicator or Vindy.com.