- Title: "Burt Munro"
- Artist: Beacham Owen
- Year: 2008
- Print: Fine-Art Archival Giclee
- Limited Edition: 500 total worldwide
- Sizes: 24x30in $170 $87, 18x24in $120 $59
- Signature: Hand-numbered, titled, signed by artist
This beautiful and historic art shows Burt Munro on his legendary Indian Scout motorcycle streamliner, the "Munro Special" during his last Bonneville Salt Flats of Utah record-breaking run in the late 1960s. The painting was inspired by the Roger Donaldson movie "The World's Fastest Indian" starring Anthony Hopkins. The critically acclaimed movie revealed Burt's amazing character, his self-taught engineering skills, and it told Burt's uplifting story to the world. Roger Donaldson had previously made the documentary film "Burt Munro: Offerings to the God of Speed."
Since his first speed record set at New Zealand in 1940, Munro's dream was to bring his modified Indian Scout motorcycle and compete on the flat and vast expanse of Bonneville's salt bed. With his savings and additional funds from motorcycling friends in New Zealand, Munro finally made the trip to America in 1962 aboard a cargo ship. In order to pay for his ocean voyage, Munro worked as the ship’s cook. He brought the streamlined bike that he had developed, redesigned and modified. With his 1920 Indian Scout V-twin motor and his self-made motorcycle streamliner, he tested at El Mirage dry lake in Southern California before going to Bonneville to set world records in the 850cc class in 1962 and finally the 950cc class in 1967, when he ran 183.58mph (and unofficially ran over 205mph) at the age of 68. A world speed record that still stands with the SCTA (Southern California Timing Association).
During Munro's U.S. visits he formed friendships with many fellow racers. Among them were Rollie Free (Vincent HRD Black Shadow, record speed of 156.58mph), Marty Dickerson (Class C Vincent Black Shadow, record speed of 147mph), sidecar record holder Mike Parti, Leo Payne best known for his Harley Davidson "Turnip Eater," and tuner Jack Wilson, all well-respected members of the Land Speed Record fraternity and Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductees with Burt Munro.
During that time Burt also met drag racer and land speed racer Mickey Thompson who was racing his Challenger 1 against John Cobb, the former record holder. Other famous Bonneville racers like Craig Breedlove and his "Spirit of America," Donald Malcolm Campbell and his famous "Bluebird," Tom Green and the "Wingfoot Express," Art Arfons of "The Green Monster," Bob and Bill Summers with their streamliner "Goldenrod," Gary Gabelich of the famous "Blue Flame" car, and their crews, and Sam Pierce of Southern California, were among the many who contributed money to help Burt Munro succeed at the salt flats.
Only 500 prints of this work of art were produced for worldwide sale. They are on heavy-weight paper, and are easy-to-frame yourself – no mat is needed and each fits into a standard ready-made frame.
Customer Comments
"I have received my art last week in good order [The Boys of Summer, Joey at the Man, Burt Munro and Long Weekend] and I am pleased with it. Thanks." — Sean Haggerty, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
"Burt Munro was a gift for a friend. She has framed it and it looks splendid! You offer a very good service. Thanks." — Andy Armstrong, Burbank, CA
