Movie Night at the Simeone Museum with Peter Starr

Take it to the Limit Movie Night at the Simeone Museum with Peter Starr

Featuring the Radnor Hunt Concours exhibit of 100 Years of Motorcycles

Saturday, August 19, 2017

Opening night at the Simeone Museum motorcycle exhibit kicked off with Special Guest Peter Starr making an appearance. Starr will be inducted into the American Motorcyclist Hall of Fame this September 22, 2017 and made a stop in Philadelphia to show his classic film, Take it to the Limit. The presentation was sponsored by the Boyertown, PA dealer, Martin Moto. Attendees were enthralled by the tales told by ex-motorcycle racer Peter about his story of coming to America at age 22 and becoming a part of the British Invasion as a successful radio DJ. He enjoyed a variety of job opportunities that eventually allowed to become a filmmaker, creating no less than 40 films over his lengthy career.

A packed house watched the film with rapt attention, enjoying a chance to see it on the big screen. Afterwards, appreciative audience members got autographs and cleaned out his inventory of DVD’s and his wonderful, behind the scenes book, Taking to the Limit.

Watch the Take it to the Limit film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhm8Ax5WX8s

John Lawless, chairman of the Radnor Hunt Concours d’Elegance has curated the annual exhibit at the Simeone Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for nearly a decade. Previous shows have included motorcycles from nearly every point of the globe and this year was no exception. The carefully chosen machines span the history of motorcycling in three distinct chapters; the Century Cycles tell the story of emerging technology from 1885 -1917. The Roper Steam Cycle replica, the unique Spiral and the King Dick are top choices.

A group of fine motorcycles both sporty and sleek represent the Inter-War Elegance period of 1918-1940 that includes two pair of rare, identical BMW models presented both in original, unrestored condition as well as restored models for direct comparison. The Simeone Museum’s founder, Dr. Fred Simeone is an ardent proponent of preservation over restoration unless absolutely is required due to necessity. A stunning, restored 1939 Velocette KTT Mk. VII with Isle of Man race history is another highlight from this period.

In the Post-War European Sport Class, a fine trio of British-built Vincent motorcycles are paired with sophisticated German and exotic Italian motorcycles that spans from the period of 1946-1988. Three top flight competition bikes of that ear include the ex-Jimmy Adamo Ducati TT1 and NCR Cagiva TT2 as well as the mighty Yamaha TZ750 which figured prominently in the Peter Starr film.

It’s an impressive, succinct collection that has many other layers and underlying themes when the motorcycles are studied and considered by the viewer. The Simeone Museum has won the International Museum of the Year and its mission is to educate and demonstrate. Its collection of world class sports racing cars in truly mind-blowing for the car lover. The motorcycles presented compliment the autos and remind us that gear-heads have always loved the rare and desirable machines whether no matter how many wheels they have.