There are two writers who shaped my own personal craft and, indeed, my worldview. One was Anthony Bourdain, as his cadence, compsure, grasp of the world around him, and ability to showcase the beauties of our pale blue dot, while not flinching at its horrors, captivated me each and every time I read his words or listened to him speak. He's the only celebrity I've ever mourned.
The other is Hunter S. Thompson, the gonzo journalist who shared Bourdain's lyrical tastes for the dramatic, gave insight into those marginalized groups around the fringes, and spoke truth to power, once penning these grave thoughts after 9/11, saying, "The towers are gone now, reduced to bloody rubble, along with all hopes for Peace in Our Time, in the United States or any other country. Make no mistake about it: We are At War now -- with somebody -- and we will stay At War with that mysterious Enemy for the rest of our lives."
He wasn't wrong.
Thompson remains a writer's writer to this day, but his penchant for fantastical wordplay on any subject was ever-captivating even when he was writing about more everyday topics, i.e., motorcycles, which he sometimes reviewed. An avid motorcyclist himself, he coined the phrase all us riders love to quote, "Faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death." I may have a shirt with those words on it from our friends at Go Fast, Don't Die.
And one of his own personal motorcycles just sold for a bunch of money. How rad would it have been if you had the motorcycle in your garage, though?
The motorcycle in question is Thompson's own 1972 Husqvarna 360C Enduro, which was sold at auction on Bring a Trailer. Bidders went pretty wild on the motorcycle, with the final bid ending at $37,250. But few motorcycles have the provenance and history this particular motorcycle has with someone of Hunter's caliber.
According to the listing, "This 1972 Husqvarna 360C Enduro was delivered new to American author and 'Gonzo' journalist Hunter S. Thompson. It was purchased by the seller in 2022, and a subsequent half-year refurbishment performed by marque expert and Vintage Husky owner John Lefevre of San Marco, California." It added, " A June 1972 invoice from US Husqvarna importer and distributor MED-International to Nelson Brothers Motors of Oakland, California, lists a wholesale price of $935 for a '1972 Model Husqvarna Enduro' that was 'Shipped for Hunter S. Thompson.' The serial number (SI-2447) listed on the form, which came from the records of MED-International owner Edison Dye by way of Don Ince, matches the number stamped on the bike’s frame."
Hunter's personal history with motorcycles is long and extensive, having embedded himself with the Hells Angels, and written and rode a ton throughout his life. Indeed, his famous Ducati review is one I referenced myself when I rode the Panigale V4 when it was first launched. I may have also been inspired by Hunter's work when I rode a Harley down to build a rifle, given his infamous picture of him on a Harley shooting a revolver.
But the man's life and work continue to inspire to this day, and it's apparently still worthy of folks dropping nearly $40,000 on his old motorcycles. I will say that while Bring a Trailer doesn't relay that there's drugs included in the sale, a few commenters speculated maybe something is hidden within given Thompson's proclivities...
The buyer might be high both on winning the auction and...other things. My congrats go out to you.
