1971 Husqvarna 400 Cross
Frame no. MI3778

Collectors' Motorcycles at the Barber Museum|5 October 2019, 12:00 CDT|Birmingham, Barber Motorsports Museum

1971 Husqvarna 400 Cross
Frame no. MI3778

Before the era of big celebrity endorsements, Husqvarna Motorcycles had two heavy hitters already in its corner. Malcolm Smith, arguably the best-ever all-around rider, and Steve McQueen, actor and uncontested arbiter of what was hip and cool, both rode Huskies. A shirtless McQueen could be seen bounding across the cover of Sports Illustrated on his 400 Cross, and Smith's exploits aboard a 250 Cross were featured in everyone's all-time favorite motorcycle movie, On Any Sunday.
Husqvarna is surely one of the most famous and respected off-road brands in history. With 14 World Motocross championships, 24 World Enduro titles and 11 Baja 1000 victories to its name, Husky's reputation is beyond reproach.

In the late 1960s most dirtbikes were simply modified versions of bulky British and American four-stroke streetbikes. While powerful, these machines were heavy and cumbersome and only agile in the most talented of hands.

Soon Sweden-based Husqvarna - a name unheard of across the Atlantic at the time - introduced a series of two-stroke machines, first with a 360cc and then a 400cc featuring a breathtakingly lusty single-cylinder engine suspended in a lightweight steel frame. As this was before plastics, the bike came fitted with alloy fenders front and rear, and a painted steel gas tank with the brand's signature chromed panels, intended prevent a rider's knees from marring the paint. This beautiful, comparatively airy, big-bore motocross combined fearsome power, superior handling and rakish good looks - a winning combination that quickly made headlines.

The 400 Cross presented here is in very nice cosmetic condition with period correct color paint. The bike received a complete nut-and-bolt restoration by marque expert, Vintage Husky Restorations. The bike is in showroom condition and has never been started since the restoration.

Footnotes

Offered on a Bill of Sale

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