One of Pee-wee Herman’s bikes from Tim Burton’s 1985 film Pee-wee’s Big Adventure could soon be yours.
Coming from the estate of Jay Ward, one of the 14 iconic red bikes used during the filming of the movie will go up for sale during a two-day auction on May 3rd and 4th, hosted by Van Eaton Galleries.
According to the listing, the bike was used in several memorable scenes, including one in which Pee-wee (played by the late Paul Reubens) crashes into a curb and is thrown onto a lawn — only to pop up and deliver his signature line, “I meant to do that.” Watch a clip of that below.
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It’s also the bike that Pee-wee uses to swing across a lake on a vine, Tarzan-style, while fleeing security on the Warner Bros. lot.
Built by Hollywood stuntman Gary Littlejohn, the bike has been restored to match its on-screen appearance. However, no paintwork or re-chroming has been done, so some of the wear and tear from the film remains.
Here’s more from the description:
“The bike is fitted with new grips, vintage Carlisle tires, a Mickey Mouse bell, black box with red and green button, an exact working replica of the tiger siren, Dia-Compe brake lever and cable, and the exact vintage streamers on the grips. The existing light castings have been fitted with the screen-matching fins, propeller, and new lens and chrome on the bezel. An exact replica of the screen-used Persons Majestic Siren prop and bracket are in place, along with the correct vintage rat trap pedals, a Greenfield kickstand, and new metal fender skirts. The existing bags are redressed with chrome tape, with the correct bag lenses and fin restored, plus fork dart decals and genuine vintage Schwinn spring components as seen on screen. Full replica mudflaps are in place, as well as replacement hypno-spiral discs to the front wheel. Finally, the bike bears a gleaming replica ‘Property of Pee-wee Herman’ plaque behind the seat.”
See more about the auction here.
In other Paul Reubens news, the Safdie Brothers-produced documentary Pee-wee as Himself is premiering on HBO and Max on May 23rd.
Revisit our essay celebrating Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.
Content shared from consequence.net.