This custom bike is one of two motorcycles that comprise the “Battle of Britain” builds won by G. Gordon Liddy when he appeared on a celebrity edition of the NBC TV show Fear Factor. It was the shows series finale, on September 12, 2006. Then 75 years of age, Liddy was the oldest contestant ever to appear on the show. Liddy beat the competition in the first two stunts. In doing so, he won the right to commission two choppers built to his design and specifications by Metropolitan Choppers of Frederick, Maryland. He collaborated on design with Metropolitan Choppers Rick Hill and the bikes were then hand-built by Dan Kessinger and his team at MC.

On a whim, Mr. Liddy, a licensed pilot, decided each of the 110 horsepower bikes would replicate World War II fighter planes. Mr. Liddy drew his inspiration for the build from old photos, personal drawings and private recollections. He chose aircraft he remembers as a boy when they dueled in the skies over England: Supermarine Spitfire of Britain's Royal Air Force, and the Bf 109E Messerschmitt of Germany's dreaded Luftwaffe.

This is the Messerschmitt version. It has a Pro-One frame and transmission. The engine is from Ultima Products and the front end is Springer. The wheels are by American Machine and are fitted with Avon tires. The intricate paint and aero squadron markings were executed by Mondello’s and C. Harris Designs.

This distinctive, one-of-a-kind machine has a headlight that replicate propeller spinners, wheel spokes imitate propellers, the windscreen is replicated to scale and the tail of the bike resembles an aircraft rudder. There are numerous details throughout the design that are interesting and well thought out. Neither chopper has ever been ridden on asphalt.

Mr. Liddy has been a well-known public figure from the 1970s. He is possibly best known for his role in the Nixon administration and later as a popular nationally-syndicated radio talk-show host, from which he retired from last year. He is also an author, lawyer, ex-FBI agent, actor and fan of fast machines. On his radio show, he often spoke of his love of driving his 520-hp Lingenfelter ZR-1 Corvette and singing its praises. He learned to drive at the wheel of a 1938 Packard Super Eight and to this day he has an eye for “just about any Ferrari.”