Schoenewald became acquainted with the Norton Commando motorcycle in 1967: “I was in Libya at the bottom of a large sand dune - Funny Farm Hill - rolling into the Mediterranean Sea” when he spied a Commando 750. His dream to own one was delayed when Schoenewald opted for a Honda CL 350, which he traded for the car his father had given him. Now the owner of about 70 motorcycles, Schoenewald said his favorite bike is the “one I’m on....”Felicia Schoenewald admits that her own interest in motorcycle riding waned once she and her husband started their family, but “He bought me a scooter,” she noted with a laugh.The SPCOM exhibit includes four of the famed “Unapproachable Norton” motorcycles that were dominant in British racing in the first half of the 20th century, as well as a predecessor of the Commando, a 1964 Norton Atlas 750.Three additional rare motorcycles include a black 1930 Brough Superior SS-100 (Super Sport), which was known as the “Rolls Royce” of motorcycles when it was produced by George Brough from 1919 to 1940. Each Super Sport bike was custom-built by hand and road tested to 100 mph. They were the most expensive bikes of their time. T. E. Lawrence, of “Lawrence of Arabia” fame, owned seven Brough motorcycles, and died in a crash in 1935 while riding one.Other motorcycles exhibited in this unique show include a 1954 hand-built Vincent Black Shadow Series C motorcycle - one of only 1,800 made. The exhibit continues through August 27.The museum is located at 1001 East Main St. and is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission: $4 Adults, $3 Seniors, $1 Children, free to museum members. Call 933-0076 for more information.
Legendary Motorcycles: Schoenewald collection revs up at SPCOM
June 02, 2006
Santa Paula News
Dozens of motorcycles were parked east of the Santa Paula California Oil Museum when the new exhibit, “Norton, Von Dutch, & Co: Legendary Motorcycles from the Schoenewald Collection,” opened earlier this month, offering a unique look at a private collection of rare and storied motorcycles.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesDozens of motorcycles were parked east of the Santa Paula California Oil Museum when the new exhibit, “Norton, Von Dutch, & Co: Legendary Motorcycles from the Schoenewald Collection,” opened earlier this month, offering a unique look at a private collection of rare and storied motorcycles. Owned by collector Daniel Schoenewald of Camarillo, the exhibit includes some of the greatest names in motorcycle racing, design, and history, including Norton Commando, Santa Paula’s own Von Dutch, Triumph, Brough, and Vincent in this first public exhibition of the collection in California.The exhibit includes the 1942 Indian that was the favorite bike of the late film star and Santa Paula resident Steve McQueen. Each of the 13 motorcycles displayed has its own story of romance with speed, as well as paying tribute to those - such as Von Dutch - who often made their own contribution in a smaller but still legendary way.Von Dutch’s unique work is seen in a 1941 Swiss Condor, a bike he decorated in the late 1980s because it was rare and different, much like the eccentric artist himself. The Von Dutch Corner features another of his customized motorcycles, a 1934 Rudge JAP (James A Prestwich) Speedway, like the Condor, owned and rebuilt by him.Von Dutch (1929-1992) was an iconic American artist and designer who was a major influence on vehicle customizing, beginning in the 1950s, when his pinstriping work elevated it to art form (Von Dutch’s famous “Flying Eyeball” remains an icon of logo image creations). The Corner includes artwork associated with his career, as well as his distinctively decorated toolbox.Curator Jeanne Orcutt admitted that the exhibit assignment was challenging - including how to exhibit the motorcycles so that none overpowered the others - but also “fun to put together... we have just a tiny portion” of Schoenewald’s collection. “We have a little bit of this and a little bit of that,” including not only the bikes, but also informational materials and memorabilia.
