1. 1935 Husqvarna 500 GP Racer (Replica)
Husqvarna is primarily recognized for its significant contribution to the dirtbike world, but once upon a time the historic Swedish marque actually took part in Grand Prix-level road racing. Of course, you’d have to go back nearly a century to find out about it. Or you could go to Tom White’s billiard room.
While the machine you see here is one of the very few in White’s collection that is a replica and not a genuine sample, there’s good reason for that: Husqvarna built so few of the machines that they’re already nearly impossible to come by, and of the few originals ever produced, some have been lost in mishaps ranging from fires to sinking ships! While the factory Husqvarnas were able to threaten established British brands Velocette and Norton, both of whom dominated GP road racing in the 1930s, it failed to topple them.
This particular motorcycle is about as close as you’ll find to an all-new one, as it was meticulously constructed using all of the Husqvarna factory drawings – every last nut and bolt is a correct representation of an original Husqvarna 500 GP Racer. That includes its 50-degree, air-cooled, 498cc V-Twin engine, which is said to be capable of putting out around 44 horsepower at 6800 rpm. With a dry weight of around 279 lbs., the machine was good for about 120 mph, which made it more than competitive for its time and probably scary as hell considering its brake and suspension technology.
Frankly, it surprised us that of the over 200 motorcycles in Tom White’s collection, this is the last one he showed us, and it has a special place in his heart among his favorites. Who knew that a dirt-track and motocross guy could be so enamored with a roadracing machine?
Then again, once you realize just how much passion and enthusiasm Tom White has for the sport of motorcycling, it only makes sense.
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