Captain America: The First
Avenger – Click above to enlarge
We'd be lying if we said we weren't excited about Captain America: The First Avenger. The crew at Marvel knows how to put together a good superhero movie (with a few notable exceptions, of course), and if the trailer is any indication, the new flick won't disappoint. Of course, with a great movie comes great marketing potential, and Harley-Davidson has gotten in on the red, white and blue craze. The bike manufacturer has worked up a pretty awesome giveaway as part of the lead-up to Captain America's silver screen debut.
You see, Harley-Davidson minted 70,000 WLA bikes during World War II and shipped them overseas to help out. It was only fitting that Captain America take to the streets atop a similar steed, so the Bar and Shield worked with Marvel to create a handful of modified Cross Bones bikes to look like the old WLA Liberators. A total of five of the machines were created for filming and USO stunt work.
Now, H-D and Marvel are giving away two Sportster 1200 models – one to a member of the military and another to a civilian. The movie house and the motorcycle manufacturer will work with the lucky winners to customize their bikes however they see fit. Harley-Davidson is even giving away Captain America movie posters at dealers while supplies last. Hit the jump to check out the trailer for the film and the full press release.
TWO AMERICAN ICONS REUNITE TO SALUTE THE FORCES OF GOOD
Harley-Davidson® and Marvel Studio's Captain America Join Forces to Defend Freedom
MILWAUKEE (July 5, 2011) – On July 22, two icons of freedom will roll onto the silver screen when Marvel Studios releases Captain America: The First Avenger, who defends freedom and justice for all on a Harley-Davidson® WLA motorcycle.
During World War II, Harley-Davidson produced and dispatched almost 70,000 WLA motorcycles overseas to support the war effort. The motorcycle was affectionately known as the "Liberator" by U.S. Service Men and Women.
To celebrate this reunion, Harley-Davidson Motor Company has created the "H-D® Free the World" promotion, which features two grand prizes. One lucky U.S. military member, as well as a non-military member, will each win the opportunity to work with Marvel and the Motor Company to customize their own one-of-a-kind new Harley-Davidson Sportster® 1200 Custom motorcycle in Harley-Davidson's hometown of Milwaukee, Wis.
"Captain America makes the perfect marketing partner for Harley-Davidson as he truly embodies the iconic, heroic and American aspects of our brand," said Dino Bernacchi, Harley-Davidson's director of Marketing Communications. "Both Captain America and our motorcycles are great symbols of freedom."
"We're excited to partner with Marvel given their success in pulling in large, young and diverse audiences," added Bernacchi. "Big and heroic activations like this build interest and excitement in our amazing sport among potential new customers, so we hope to see some new Captain America fans on the road soon."
Each of the grand prize winners of the "H-D Free the World" promotion will travel to Milwaukee to create the Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom of their dreams at one of the Motor Company's production facilities. The promotion also features unique "first prizes" for one U.S. military member, as well as non-military member to attend a Harley-Davidson Academy of Motorcycling Riders Edge® class to learn how to ride alongside a friend.
Additionally, Captain America fans can visit their local Harley-Davidson dealers to secure an exclusive poster featuring Captain America on his 1942 Harley-Davidson "Liberator," while supplies last. Harley-Davidson's promotional Web site, www.h-d.com/captainamerica, also features behind the scenes footage that was produced in collaboration with Marvel.
Legal residents of the United States who are at least 18 years of age can enter the "H-D Free the World" promotion at www.h-d.com/captainamerica through December 1, 2011.
About the Captain America Harley-Davidson "Liberator"
Harley-Davidson collaborated with Marvel Studios to create five motorcycles for the Captain America: The First Avenger film, which traces Captain America's origins as a World War II era Super Hero who rode a military motorcycle as a means of transportation.
The Motor Company coordinated the modification of the current day Harley-Davidson® Cross Bones® model to resemble an original 1942 WLA Army motorcycle. The Motor Company also worked with Marvel Studios to recreate additional parts, such as an ammunition box and leather gun scabbard, to ensure the motorcycles looked as authentic as possible.
Three bikes were used in the film for riding and stunts, and two were reserved for a scene in which Captain America lifts a motorcycle over his head at a USO appearance.
Two of the motorcycles will become part of the Harley-Davidson Museum's permanent collection and one will be featured in a special temporary display at museum showcasing a sampling of items from the movie, including a Captain America leather "rescue jacket," his signature 'A' helmet, and shield he carried in the film.
For more information about Harley-Davidson's partnership with Marvel Studios around Captain America: The First Avenger, including the "H-D Free the World" promotion, visit www.h-d.com/captainamerica.
