Tom Ruttan’s 1949 Triumph Grand Prix won Best of Show last weekend, at the fifth annual Vintage Motorcycle Festival: The MEET at ACM. The event at America’s Car Museum campus in Tacoma, Washington, featured a weekend of motorcycle-related activities, including a Sunday ride coordinated by the local Vintage Motorcycle Enthusiasts bike club.
“The Meet is one of the staple Signature Events that demonstrates how ACM has become a thriving institution since our doors opened in 2012,” said ACM President and COO Paul E. Miller. “Thanks to the hard work from the VMF Advisory Committee and the generous support of sponsors like Hagerty, many visitors flocked to the area and experienced firsthand what makes Tacoma such a great community.”
The Vintage Motorcycle Festival attracted hundreds of motorcycles and scooters built before 1991 to take part in its competition, which featured 18 award classes for both import and domestic makes. Of the hundreds of registered bikes on display, ACM’s judges agree that Tom Ruttan’s 1949 Triumph Grand Prix was deserving of the Best of Show.
“The turnout for this year’s event brought out some of the best bikes I’ve ever seen,” said Vintage Motorcycle Festival Advisory Board Chairman Mark Zenor. “The winners are truly stand-out bikes that any motorcycle enthusiast would be glad to have! Congratulations to all of this year’s winners.”
Guests also enjoyed a performance by the famous Seattle Cossacks Motorcycle Stunt and Drill Team, food trucks, vendor booths, free seminars and a Sunday ride to the Mount Rainier valley.
From left to right: Famous glass artist, John Miller; ACM VP of Institutional Advancement, Dean Carrell; 2016 Best of Show winner, Tom Ruttan; and The MEET at ACM Advisory Committee Chairman Mark Zenor (Photo Credit: Keith Anderson)
Select award winners are as follows:
Best of Show: 1949 Triumph Grand Prix owned by Tom Ruttan
Judges’ Awards
“Best Desert Stormer”: 1982 MZ Sidecar owned by Chris McKinney
“Best Throwback Tourer”: 1978 Honda Goldwing Café owned by Chris Reiff
“Best Lil Black Honda”: 1966 Honda CA 110 owned by Stewart Moss
“Best Battle-Scarred Survivor”: 1965 Royal Enfield Interceptor owned by Don Chesterfield
“Best Polisher’s Nightmare”: BSA Gold Star Café owned by Craig Stegall
Class Awards
Antique American Pre 1940
1941 Indian Chief owned by Kevin Bausch
1917 Indian Power Plus owned by Ron Rumdolz
Classic European
1967 Bultaco Metralla Mk 11 owned by Julie Hayes
1978 Bultaco Streaker owned by Harry Gamble
Classic American – Post WWII
1947 H-D FL Knucklehead owned by Kenneth Engle
1956 H-D KHK owned by Steve Bell
1949 Indian Scout owned by Victor Wilson
Vintage British – Other
1938 Brough SS100 owned by Doug Saugen
1959 Matchless G80TCS owned by Ron Predmore
1950 Velocette MAC owned by Allyne Smith
Vintage BSA
1953 BSA Bantam owned by Craig Stegall
1968 BSA Firebird owned by Sean Curtis
1966 BSA Lightning owned by Bruce Larson
Vintage Norton
1969 Norton 750S owned by Doug Saugen
1974 Norton Commando 850 owned by Will Watchel
1971 Norton Roadster owned by Lorin Smith
Vintage Triumph
1970 Triumph T120 Bonneville owned by Fred McNabb
1948 Triumph T100 owned by Roy Mendenhall
1970 Triumph T100C owned by Robert Belland
Vintage German
1969 BMW R60/2 owned by Kenneth Morris
1958 BMW Sidecar / Trailer owned by Bruce Frey
1963 BMW R27 owned by Todd Webber
Vintage Italian
1971 Laverda SF owned by Donn Tanner
1970 Ducati 450 Jupiter owned by Lorin Smith
1959 MV Agusta 125TREL owned by Jim Bush
Vintage Japanese – Other
1973 Kawasaki Z1 owned by Bob Wells
1977 Kawasaki KZ1000 LTD owned by Dave McClung
1973 Kawasaki A7-SS Avenger owned by Chris McKinney
Vintage Honda Presented by Brown Maloney
1973 Honda CB350 Four owned by Sturart Moss
1983 Honda CB1100 F owned by Frank Shuck
1977 Honda CB400 F owned by Pat Samsell
Vintage Yamaha
1969 Yamaha YR3 owned by Ed Lederis
1977 Yamaha RD400 owned by Michael Bleaske
1973 Yamaha DT3 owned by Alfred Latham
Custom Bobber/Chopper
1971 Triumph Bonneville owned by John Finigan
1970 Triumph Bonneville owned by George Moceri
1971 Norton Commando owned by Larry Nutt
For more information and event photos, visit www.vintagemotorcyclefestival.com.