SANTA PAULA, CA – Celebrate the freedom and fun of summer with classic British motorcycles at the California Oil Museum (1001 E. Main St. Santa Paula, Adults $4, Seniors $3 and Youth (6-17) $1). This year, the Museum’s annual motorcycle show features gorgeous bikes from rarely seen private collections and from all of the famous British manufacturers including Ariel, BSA, Norton, Velocette, and Vincent!

The history of the British motorcycle follows closely the history of Britain itself. The earliest British motorcycles were created at the beginning of the 20th century as excitement for motorized transportation and industrial innovation spread rapidly. A few decades later, the country was at war and so too were its motorcycles. Hundreds of thousands of British motorcycles were manufactured for the Allied forces during both WWI and WWII and drove them towards victory.

In the 1950s and 1960s, British bikes continued to set land speed records and dominate off-road competitions as their unique shape and styling became iconic. While British motorcycle manufacturers suffered a decline in the 1970s and 1980s, these classic bikes are now highly sought-after not only for their handsome forms but for the stories they tell. Join us all summer long to experience this British bike invasion!

WHO: The City of Santa Paula’s California Oil Museum

WHAT: The British are Coming: Vintage British Bikes, an exhibit of classic motorcycles from rarely seen private collections

WHEN: July 6 through September 30, 2012 (Museum Hours: Wednesday – Sunday 10 AM – 4 PM)

WHERE: California Oil Museum, 1001 E. Main Street, Santa Paula, CA 93060 (Admission: Adults $4.00, Seniors $3.00, Youth (6-17) $1.00, Children under 5 and Museum Members are free)

WHY: To celebrate summer and motorcycles!