Willie G Davidson retires

Harley-Davidson’s Senior Vice President Willie G. Davidson is retiring after nearly 50 years as head of styling.

The 78-year-old grandson of one of the company’s founders, William A. Davidson, will stay on as a Harley ambassador and keeps the title Chief Styling Officer Emeritus. It’s thought he will be involved in occasional special projects.

Willie G said: “Throughout my life, I have been truly fortunate to have the opportunity to marry my passion for design with my love for this amazing brand that runs so deeply in my veins.

“What’s most rewarding has been to see the impact our motorcycles have on the lives of our customers. Everything we do in styling is based on the notion that form follows function, but both report to emotion.”

Willie G’s best known bikes include the Super Glide, Low Rider, Heritage Softail Classic, Fat Boy, V-Rod and Street Glide.

So who do you think should replace him? Ducati 999 designer Pierre Terblanche? Ex-BMW design chief David Robb hasn’t got much on at the moment either…