Today in motorcycle history, July 9, 1967

 


 

  Evel Knievel, America's favorite daredevil strikes again. 

 

  In Centralia, Washington at the Lewis County Fairgrounds, Evel jumps 13 cars, eleven Dodge Coronets, one Dodge Monaco and a Dodge Polaris.  From his Triumph T120 firing up on the first kick to the near perfect landing, the jump is a complete success.  The Centralia jump marks seven successful attempts in a row dating back to June 19, 1966, in Missoula, Montana.  Where attempting to jump twelve cars and a van, Evel's rear wheel catches the van's door frame resulting in a severely broken arm and several broken ribs. 

 

  Two and a half weeks later in Graham, Washington, at the Graham Speedway, the lucky streak comes to an abrupt halt in an attempt to jump sixteen VW Bugs and a panel delivery truck.  If he had only stopped at the Bugs.