Today in motorcycle history, December 19, 1968

  Warner Brothers releases the movie "Bullitt," starring Steve McQueen, in Sweden, some two months after its debut in U.S. theaters. Many critics consider "Bullitt" to be one of the greatest action movies ever made, not because of its script or special effects--the plot is impenetrable, the dialogue is fairly awful, and nothing explodes--but because of one sublime seven-minute car chase through the streets of San Francisco. In poll after poll, moviegoers have named that chase the best in film history.
  Now you're asking what the hell does that have to do with motorcycles? Well, most of the tough driving stunts in the Mustang GT were done by master motorcycle stunt driver, Bud Ekins. Ekins was a close friend, mechanic and riding cohort of Steve McQueen. The Triumph Trophy jumping the fence in "The Great Escape" was Bud Ekins.
  He received 4 Gold Medals and a Silver in the International Six Day Trials in the 1960's. Ekins ran a very successful Triumph dealership for many years, counting many Hollywood stars as clients. Eventually, and to his stated regret, Ekins switched to selling Hondas.   

  James Sherwin "Bud" Ekins was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999.