Knowing the Davidsons: Who is Willie G?

Born in 1933 into one of the most recognised motoring families in the world, young Willie G’s entry into the realm of motorcycles was preordained. His grandfather, William A. Davidson, was one of the founders of the company in 1903 and his father was president from WWII to the 1960s.

Willie pursued his love of art and design from an early age and proved himself as a professional designer before becoming the first design director of Harley-Davidson in 1963.

Over the next 50 years, he created a string of iconic designs that defined Harley-Davidson “factory custom” motorcycles. Throughout his life he has embodied a close-to-the-customer relationship, by attending motorcycle rallies, rides and races, that helped play a significant role in building the company into a global phenomenon.

“I wanted to combine my interest in art and design with my love for vehicles,” said Willie. “I was born with gasoline in my veins and crayons in my hands.”

Willie G. also exhibited a flair for art at a very young age, which he integrated with his love of vehicles. Watercolour portraits and intricate diagrams of motorcycles he sketched when he was 14 can be found all around the floor of the H-D museum in Milwaukee.

He helped shape the look, sound and feel that today define Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Beginning with the FX Super Glide® in 1971, he was responsible for a string of landmark designs that established the company’s “factory custom” dominance. In 1981, he was one of 13 executives who raised more than US$75 million to purchase Harley-Davidson from AMF Incorporated. While CEO Vaughn Beals was the most instrumental of the executives involved in the buy-back, many also credit Willie’s role in representing the heritage and values of the company.

Willie is also an avid collector with an impressive personal collection that includes vintage toys and full-size vehicles, antiques as well as folk art and native American art. These things Willie surrounds himself with at home provide unique insights into his inspiration as a designer and artist. Folk artists typically lack formal training and instead rely on their intuition in creating their work. And this kind of intuitive design and passion also informed the work of Willie G. Some of his collection will occasional form a special exhibit at the museum.

The styling department Willie built continues to extend Harley-Davidson’s design leadership at the Willie G. Davidson Product Development Center in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

Willie and his wife Nancy still actively attend rallies and events in celebration of the brand and its customers.

Acknowledged sources: H-D Museum, Urban Milwaukee