RICHARD Rawlings has added a new and very special machine to his collection, as the Gas Monkey Garage owner has scooped up the motorcycle ridden by The Fonz in the hit TV show Happy Days.
The bike was one of the star lots in an auction of Fonz actor Henry Winkler memorabilia, with Rawlings going above and beyond to secure the bike. With a reserve of between $80 and $120k, the Gas Monkey boss dug deep, paying $231,562 for the prized machine.
After buying the bike, Rawlings attributed the purchase to his dad who is battling Alzheimer’s, claiming that in years gone by they used to sit down and watch the show together.
Confirming the purchase on his Facebook page, Rawlings said:
Guess the news is out! I have so many memories with my Dad watching 'Happy Days' and this piece of history is something that I wanted not only for me but for my Dad.
While my dad didn't have a '49 Triumph Trophy 500, he sure did think he was the Fonz! One year at my school carnival he even rode up on his Kawasaki LTD 750, leather jacket on, and set up a kissing booth. Let's just say the PTA moms were fans of the Forth Worth Fonz that day.
Merry early Christmas pops!
He may have the bike, but Rawlings missed out on the full Fonz look, as the leather jacket worn by the iconic character went to another bidder after the hammer fell at $75,312.
After being stored in his private collection for some time, Rawlings is reported to have said the bike will be then sitting pride of place in the front window of his house.
