The ad, here on craigslist in Knoxville, Tennessee, says this would make a great Christmas present. Can you think of anyone, besides Scotty, who would appreciate this old Mustang? Scotty might have a problem with the pink, though, but perhaps the tassels make up for it some? You say you’ve never heard of a Mustang that wasn’t a horse or a Ford? Like many companies that manufactured war materials, the Gladden Products Corporation was looking for something else to do after the war was over. An employee had built his own motorcycle and that looked promising so the Mustang Motorcycle Corporation was born. The effort does look rather crude, but it was the first US Company to use telescoping front forks. They were building bikes from 1948 until 1965 when Japanese built motorcycles were becoming popular. They called it a motorcycle but it looks like a scooter to me, especially with those small wheels and very basic construction.
This little scooter has been left unloved in a barn for 20 years. This time, I can understand the reluctance to “get in the wind” with this little machine. Perhaps the pink treatment was a surprise for some unlucky person who never rode it this way. The paint has not even burned off that 9.5 horsepower Busy Bee engine. Perhaps this is rare enough that someone would like it, but it’s hard to imagine someone would pay anything near the $3,800 asking price.
Cute machine! It could be a lot of fun cruising around town but I sure would not want to take it on any lengthy trips. I find the Busy Bee engine interesting; years ago there were a number of those around but, like so many other things, they seem to have faded away….
Just another novelty.
There is a large following, albeit not commonly known outside classic bike circles, But there IS a large following on these Mustangs as well as the Cushmans. Several companies offer reproduction parts and these bikes are quite popular at AMCA events (Antique MC Club of America) as well as other vintage clubs and events. Often owners will scoot about the events on these similar to a “Pit bike”. I know several collectors for these and popular to add other engines. I have sold Triumph 500 unit twin motors to several owners.
There is a shop in Salem Oregon that used to specialize in these and the Cushmans called “Raceway services” and Jim the owner sold off the inventory to someone else and last I heard that guy expanded and does nothing but rebuild and restore these.
Yes, these look like a Montgomery Wards minibike, but they are several steps above that. Do some web searches you might be surprised what you learn about these. Of course,, Most of the guys who grew up with these are getting old but I have yet to see a negative reaction to these when they make a appearance at an event and one guy I know locally made a sidecar out of a water heater shell and he has to fight people off with a stick with all the $$$$ offers for his. (Total chick magnet)
I found this site that tell the story of them. Quite interesting.
https://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-american-motorcycles/mustang-motorcycles-zmkz13jfzbea
It looks like it has a hand clutch and a transmission, which kinda makes it a real motorcycle, kinda….
Pretty cool, but Vespa Rules. At least that’s what my tat says.
Didnt think a rockers & Mods debate would show up in a discussion about a Mustang motor bike but it takes all kinds.
(Heard at the ABATE toy run when a Vespa started up a biker yelled “Lets cut wood!”,,,,,,,,Ring -a-ding ding seizure later)
Here is my ALL O.G. 1958 Cushman Eagle … was used as messenger bike at Lemore NAS It runs great, I start it w a big off set 3/4 electric drill hehe.