For Sale at Auction: 1949 Custom Motorcycle in Williamston, Michigan

From the Don Henley Collection 1949 POWELL P-81 An Exceptional Original American Motorcycle THE DON HENLEY COLLECTION Springfield, Illinois YEAR - 1949 MANUFACTURER - Powell Manufacturing Company MODEL - P-81 CONDITION - Original - Never Restored OWNERSHIP - Third Owner STATUS - Runs and Drives TITLE - Illinois Title AACA HPOF Certified - 2014 & 2015 A Remarkable American Original The 1949 Powell P-81 presented here is an exceptionally preserved example of American two-wheel history. Unlike many surviving motorcycles of this era that have been extensively restored or modified, this P-81 remains in original, unrestored condition. The motorcycle has been carefully preserved as an authentic representation of how a Powell P-81 appeared during its era. It remains operational and runs and drives, making it not only an important historical artifact but also a living example of American mechanical craftsmanship. This particular Powell has been in the present owner's collection for many years. The present owner is the third owner of this remarkable specimen. Original Documentation Adding substantially to the historical significance of this motorcycle is its surviving original factory literature. Included with the P-81 are: • Original Powell Instruction Manual for the Model P-81 • Powell Factory Shop Manual The survival of original factory literature with an unrestored motorcycle provides valuable documentation of the machine as it was delivered and serviced during its era. For a collector and museum-quality vehicle, original factory documentation is an important part of establishing provenance and preserving the history surrounding the machine. A Survivor of the Postwar Era Its original condition is itself part of its history. Every original finish, component, marking, and characteristic that has survived contributes to the story of the motorcycle. Rather than recreating what a new Powell looked like, this motorcycle documents what an actual Powell looked like after decades of real-world existence. For historians and collectors, an authentic survivor can provide information that may be lost when an example is completely restored. National-Level Recognition This Powell P-81 has received significant recognition at the national level through the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA). 2014 AACA - HPOF Certification 2015 AACA - HPOF Certification HPOF stands for Historic Preservation of Original Features. These certifications are particularly meaningful for this motorcycle because its greatest distinction is its originality. Recognition through the AACA HPOF program acknowledges the importance of preserving historic vehicles in their original, authentic state rather than automatically restoring them. Receiving HPOF Certification in two consecutive years, 2014 and 2015, is an important part of this Powell's documented collection history. Preservation Over Restoration This motorcycle illustrates an important principle of historic vehicle collecting: Preservation can be more historically significant than restoration. A restoration attempts to return a vehicle to a particular appearance, often representing how it may have looked when new. A preserved original vehicle, however, retains the evidence of its actual life. This Powell has been allowed to retain that history. Its unrestored condition, original factory documentation, operational status, and national-level AACA recognition make it an unusually compelling example of American two-wheel preservation. Ownership & Provenance The current owner is the third owner of this Powell P-81. The motorcycle has been part of the present owner's collection for many years and has been maintained as an original collector specimen. It retains an Illinois title and remains a functioning motorcycle that runs and drives. The combination of documented ownership, surviving original factory literature, operational condition, and preservation makes this P-81 an important example for future generations of collectors and historians. COLLECTION SIGNIFICANCE 1949 Powell P-81 Original Condition Never Restored Runs and Drives Original Powell Instruction Manual for the Model P-81 Powell Factory Shop Manual Third Owner Illinois Title AACA HPOF Certification - 2014 AACA HPOF Certification - 2015 The Don Henley Collection - Springfield, Illinois Historical Perspective The 1949 Powell P-81 stands at the intersection of several important chapters in American history: • American manufacturing • World War II industrial production • Military transportation • Postwar American motorcycle development • The preservation of original vehicles From Powell's wartime production and airborne scooter heritage to the company's return to civilian manufacturing after World War II, the P-81 represents an unusual chapter in American motorcycling. This particular example carries that history forward in an especially authentic form. It has not been recreated. It has been preserved. Museum Collection Statement This 1949 Powell P-81 is preserved as an original and historically significant American two-wheeler. Its unrestored condition, surviving factory literature, documented ownership, operational status, and recognition by the Antique Automobile Club of America through two HPOF Certifications make it a noteworthy example of American transportation history. Preserved examples such as this allow future generations to see, study, and appreciate these machines not simply as restored objects, but as genuine survivors of their time.