The daring spirit and iconic career of Evel Knievel are being honored at the new Evel Knievel Experience, a 20,000-square-foot museum in Las Vegas. The exhibit offers fans an up-close look at the motorcycles, costumes, helmets, and memorabilia that cemented Knievel's status as a global icon. Knievel, known for his motorcycle stunts and numerous broken bones—433 to be exact—became a household name in the 1960s and 1970s, completing over 75 ramp-to-ramp jumps.
Pioneering Stunts and Their Aftermath
Knievel's legendary career was marked by both spectacular successes and dramatic crashes. One of his most famous stunts, the attempted jump over the Caesars Palace fountains in Las Vegas on New Year's Eve 1967, ended in a severe crash. While launching his Triumph Bonneville T120, the motorcycle lost power, sending Knievel into the landing ramp and then catapulting him across the tarmac. The crash resulted in a crushed pelvis and femur, a shattered hip, a broken wrist, two fractured ankles, and a severe concussion. The helmet worn during this stunt, displayed at the museum, is credited by museum co-founder Mike Patterson with saving Knievel's life.
Another notable exhibit is the American Eagle 750cc motorcycle, which carried Knievel through nine major jumps between 1969 and 1970. However, this bike was retired after a serious crash at Pocono Raceway in August 1970, where Knievel broke his shoulder and hand and cracked several vertebrae. Patterson described the American Eagle as a “terrible one for jumping” and so heavy it was difficult to maneuver even in the museum.
The Skycycle and Wembley Leap
By 1974, Knievel aimed for an even grander stunt: soaring across Idaho's Snake River Canyon in a 300 mph steam-powered rocket, the Skycycle X-2. The museum features the Skycycle used in the attempt, as well as a prototype that crashed during pre-jump testing. During the public attempt, the rocket's parachute deployed prematurely, sending it off course and into the canyon. Knievel narrowly escaped serious injury, suffering only a broken nose, cuts, and bruises, which he considered a success.
In 1975, Knievel attempted to jump 13 London double-decker buses at Wembley Stadium. He came close to clearing all the buses but clipped the last one upon landing, resulting in a crash that fractured his pelvis, broke his hand, and caused a concussion. Despite the injuries, Knievel famously walked off the field, stating he would leave as he arrived. However, his retirement was short-lived, as he resumed jumping just five months later.
Branding and Operational Scale
Knievel was also a master of personal branding, with his patriotic jumpsuits, capes, and helmets becoming instantly recognizable symbols of his daring persona. The museum displays several of his iconic outfits, some bearing the marks of his numerous crashes. Behind the stunts was a significant operation, exemplified by his legendary "Big Red" Mack truck and trailer, used to transport his equipment across the United States. The restoration of this rig, a task that involved 90 craftsmen, highlights the immense scale of Knievel's touring enterprise. His son, Kelly Knievel, a partner in the museum project, described his father's relentless work ethic and determination to succeed.
The Evel Knievel Experience: An Interactive Museum of America’s Original Daredevil is located in Downtown Las Vegas’ Arts District. Information is available at www.ekexperience.com.