Description
At the dawn of the 1960s, “European-style” motocross didn’t exist in the US, and the off-road discipline of the day was competing on “rough scrambles” courses on what were essentially road bikes lightly modified for dirt-use — though still extremely heavy and far from purpose-built machines. In 1966, everything changed.
Looking to promote its wares in the US, Husqvarna sent reigning 250cc Motocross World Champion Torsten Hallman to the States to tour the country and compete. Hallman was given a brand new, bone-stock, Husqvarna 250 Cross — one of the 75 units shipped to Husky’s then-very new American distributor. The plan was for Hallman to enter nine races, with a combined total of 23 heats.
Over the next two months, Hallman proceeded to utterly dominate the competition, winning every single heat he entered by what were reportedly very wide margins. On some occasions he even managed to lap the whole grid. Any questions about the off-road merits of the Husky were soon put to bed, and Hallman’s 1966 US season converted countless enthusiasts into Husky riders/owners, including Malcolm Smith, who ditched his Greeves mount for a Husky and went on to earn eight ISDT gold medals and a myriad of Baja 500 and 1000 wins. By the end of the decade, Husqvarna bikes would be ridden to more than a dozen Motocross World Championship titles, two-dozen European Enduro Championships, and 11 Baja 1000 wins.
Another person who was instrumental to Husky’s success in the US was Bruce Brown – member of the AMA Hall of Fame and the man behind the iconic film “On Any Sunday.” He famously got Steve McQueen to be in the film both as a financer and actor, starring alonside other legends like Mert Lawwill and Malcolm Smith. On Any Sunday went on to inspire legions of people to get into riding and Husqvarna saw its sales skyrocket overnight, not just in the US but all over the world.
This exact bike was owned by none other than Bruce Brown himself, and it has been on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum! Iconic Motorbikes is happy to be of assistance in the museum’s efforts to refocus its collections – for more info on the history of Husqvarna in the US and some earlier photos of this bike, check out this article in Rider Magazine.
This example is VIN: MH2955. The Petersen Museum acquired the bike in December 2019 when it was donated by Mark and Randy Zimmerman.
There is no odometer and as such the true mileage is unknown.
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us perform a safety inspection, our service department notes the following on their condition report:
Gas Tank Internal Condition: Rusty Interior
Transmission Oil Level: Ok
Transmission Oil Quality: Ok
2T Oil Level: NA, Premix
Coolant Level: NA, Air cooled
Coolant Quality: NA
Front Hydraulic Fluid Level: NA, Drum
Front Hydraulic Fluid Quality: NA
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Level: NA, Drum
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Quality: NA
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Level: NA, Cable Clutch
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Quality: NA
Final Drive Condition: WORN OUT
Headlight High Beam: NA
Headlight Low Beam: NA
Passing Light: NA
Parking Light: NA
Turn Signals: NA
Tail Light: NA
Brake Light (Front Switch): NA
Brake Light (Rear Switch): NA
Plate Light: NA
Horn: NA
Kill Switch: Unknown
Brake Pad % Remaining Front: Drum
Brake Pad % Remaining Rear: Drum
Forks: Ok
Shock/s: WORN OUT
Tire Date Code Front: Pre-2000
Tire Date Code Rear: Pre-2000
Tire % Remaining Front: 0%
Tire % Remaining Rear: 0%
Tire Press. Front: 20 PSI
Tire Press. Rear: 20 PSI
Battery Standing Voltage: NA
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM: NA
Running Condition: Crank, no start
Test Ride Completed: None taken
Test Ride Distance: NA
Tires Installed:
Front: 3.00-21
Rear: 4.00-18
Notes:
**DIRT BIKE – No lights, turn signals, tail/brake light or horn***
-Light rust inside fuel tank
-No fuel flows from petcock
-Damaged nipple from petcock
-Chain and sprockets are worn out
-Chrome pitted at upper fork stanchion
-Rear shocks stick when bottomed out
-Air filter aged, disintegrating
-Broken LH exhaust hanger
-Seat torn
-Crank, no start
-Clutch plates are stuck together
-Tires are aged, hard, and missing pieces
*Bike has good spark, good compression
REPAIRS RECOMMENDED:
-GTL tank clean
-Carb clean
-New petcock
-Chain and sprockets
-New shocks
-Replace/Free clutch plates
-New Air filter
-Verify correct spark timing
-Tires and tubes
Modifications:
According to the seller the bike is all stock.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Pirelli tires which have aged out with tire date codes of 49/1.
The bike is a dirt bike and has no keys.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Panorama City, California, this Husqvarna is offered on a Bill of Sale only. Have any 250 Cross stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
