Wheels Through Time ‘Knucklehead’ winner
A chance visit and a single raffle ticket result in lucky win.
It was held during the annual Haywood County Toy Run, put on by the local Blue Ridge Thunder Motorcycle Club.
This year's drawing drew one of the largest crowds since the museum's opening in 2002. With sunny skies and countless eager toy runners and raffle entrants, the atmosphere was perfect for giving away the beautiful 1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead to one lucky winner.
Just before 3:00 p.m., museum curator and founder, Dale Walksler, stepped to the podium to let everyone know the moment had arrived. A random visitor from the crowd was chosen to draw the winning ticket, and as she approached the drum full of tickets, the crowd fell silent.
The winner was Jeff Kunz from St. Louis, Mo. Jeff had visited Western North Carolina in August with a friend. Staying in Maggie Valley, Jeff and his friend decided to rent a few motorcycles from Gryphon Bikes, the local motorcycle rental shop to take in a bit of the mountains. Upon leaving the rental shop, owner Ken Brown, a long time museum friend and supporter, told them about the Wheels Through Time Museum. The two decided to make an afternoon out of it......a choice that Jeff wouldn't regret.
After a great visit at the museum, Jeff decided to take a chance on the museum's raffle. After buying one ticket, they went on their way....and the rest is history.
The 2009 Grand Prize was a genuine 1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead beautifully restored in the Wheels Through Time Restoration Shop. Held since November of 2002, the WTT Raffle has featured such machines as a 1936 Harley-Davidson VLH, a 1951 H-D custom Panhead, a 1940 Harley Knucklehead and more. Winners have emerged from Massachusetts, Tennessee, South Carolina, Alabama, and this year, St. Louis, Mo.
As for next year's raffle, the museum has already completed another 1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead to be given away next November. "Although the same year as the 2009 machine, we feel this is one of our best raffle bikes yet," said museum curator Dale Walksler. The bikes has many great period and original features, including leather saddlebags, special Hanson Sportshield roll-up windshield, plenty of chrome, and an awesome "period" red and black scalloped paint scheme. To order tickets, visit the museum's website at www.WheelsThroughTime.com.
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