Meet Janell and Pat Hanlon: Inside the Collection
It's time to ride! Pat and Janell are real motorheads for motorcycles. Take a look at this impressive collection.
Jul. 17, 2023
Inspired by childhood memories on his father's electric scooter, Pat Hanlon ventured into restoring motorcycles and racing motocross. Over the years, he's collected such a large number of unique motorcycles, he opened the Hill Country Motorheads Motorcycle Museum to display and share his impressive collection.
He and his wife, Janell, have bikes that include everything from classic Hondas and Harleys to rarities such as the Jawa Ice Racer. Janell and Pat's collection tells the history of motorcycles in around 300 motorcycles or less.
Collecting motorcycles is more than just a hobby for Pat and Janell, it's a lifestyle. They cherish their motorcycle family just as much as they cherish the bikes themselves. Their museum is all about creating a collection everyone can enjoy, and we hope you do! Take a look at Pat and Janell's massive motorcycle collection. It's time to ride!
1. 1955 Allstate Cushman Scooter
This 1955 Allstate Cushman Scooter was the item that started Pat's love for motorcycles and collecting. This is a version of the original scooter he rode on as a kid.
Pat bought this vintage ride from an estate sale where they had three fully restored Allstate Cushman Scooters available. The 1955 Allstate Cushman Scooter was known for being easy to ride and many people bought them during the decade. Did you or someone you know ever ride one?
This scooter would be worth around $10,000 today, but it's not going anywhere. The special meaning behind this classic ride makes it priceless to Pat.
2. 1965 Harley-Davidson Panhead
Harley-Davidson just screams "America," doesn't it? 1965 was the last year of the Harley-Davidson Panhead and it was the first year the company started putting electric starts in their bikes.
This bucket list bike for Janell and Pat is a rare one to see today.
This Harley-Davidson Panhead had been fully restored in the 1990s, and was cleaned up by Janell using pipe cleaners on the motors and spokes.
According to Janell, becoming a master motorcycle collector takes one thing: "Patience." Today this bike would be worth around $30,000.
3. 1977 Triumph Bonneville Silver Jubilee
In 1977, the British were celebrating the Queen's 25th Anniversary on the throne. Triumph jumped on the bandwagon and created a commemorative bike to celebrate the special event.
They named this bike The Silver Jubilee. According to Janell and Pat, the Queen was actually a motorcyle mechanic and maintenance person in WWII. What a queen - literally!
These bikes were originally only released to the British public, and there was only a thousand of these made for the event. Janell and Pat were just lucky enough to get their hands on one.
Today the 1977 Triumph Bonneville Silver Jubilee would be worth around $15,000; A ride truly worthy of a queen.
4. 1995 Jawa Ice Racer
This 1995 Jawa Ice Racer was originally built in the Czech Republic. It was made for racing on frozen lake beds, which according to Pat is terrifying to watch.
The spikes are an inch and a half long and are razor sharp. This was another bucket list bike for Pat and Janell. They bought this bike from it's owner in Michigan who raced with the bike once and decided to sell it.
The 1995 Jawa Ice Racer would be worth around $15,000 today.
5. Ann Richards' Harley-Davidson Sportster
This Harley-Davidson Sportster belonged to Ann Richards, the Governor of Texas in the early '90s. It was a gift from the Harley-Davidson company in honor of Richards' 60th birthday.
Today this bike is on an indefinite loan to be displayed in Pat and Janell's museum. The value of this bike comes from its direct connection to Ann Richards. Today it would be worth around $25,000.
6. Steve McQueen replica Triumph TR6 SS
This Triumph TR6 SS is a replica of the bike Steve McQueen used in the 1963 film The Great Escape. The film was noted for its epic motorcycle chase and jump scenes, which is considered one of the best Hollywood stunts ever performed.
This replica includes all of the bikes unique details, including McQueen's iconic number plate from the film. McQueen represented motorcycle racers and enthusiasts all over the country.
He even represented the American team at the famous International Six Days Trials (ISDT) in East Germany in the early '60s. McQueen owned over 200 motorcycles by the time he passed away in 1980, giving hope and inspiration to collectors like Pat and Janell.
Today this iconic bike would be worth around $20,000.