Handcrafted in copper and iron like the famous lady herself, the LIBERTY Bike is a custom by the Discovery Channel’s OrangeCountyChoppers in celebration of the Statue of Liberty’s 125th Anniversary Year.
I went out to see her last week and happened upon this motorcycle. Pieces for the bike were fabricated from parts collected back during her 1985-86 restoration and the cladding is taken from copper salvaged from her skin.
Wheel spokes were inspired by her crown.
The entire project took only 4 and one half weeks, just in time for episodes 24&25, Season One of American Chopper in April 2004.
Sadly, Paul Teutul Sr. and his son “Junior” were in constant disagreement, resulting in Paul Jr. being fired from the show in 2008.
By 2009, Paul Senior sued his son and won the right to force a sale of Junior’s 20% holding of OCC but a lower court overturned that ruling on appeal last December. Paul Junior still controls 20% of the company.
Not to be outdone, Paul Junior then launched a massive countersuit against his Father, charging fraud and seeking $100 million dollars in damages and a controlling interest in OCC.
So I say thank goodness we live in a country where a family commitment to creativity, excellence and hard work can rise to the very top of the cable television world, then collapse back down into legal action, acrimony and venal retribution.
The American Dream lives on.
