1950s pinup model Bettie Page passed away yesterday at the beautiful age of 85.
That news inspired BikePortland reader Erin Greeson to send in the photo below:
Bettie Page mudflaps.
An homage to Bettie Page
Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)
Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.
The poster shop that was located in the Skidmore Fountain Building (prior to Northwest Medical Teams renovations) had a posterboard outside with her on it.
Dang, our grandfathers had a much better class of pin up girls than we seem to have now (Paris Hilton?).
True story about the mud flaps: they prompt solidarity among road users in unexpected places. One day, as I was making my way home, a cab driver stopped me at an intersection. He rolled down his window, and I assumed that he needed directions. He leaned over with an inquisitive look and said:
“Excuse me, miss. Are those…lady mud flaps?”
“Why yes, they are,” I replied.
“Right on…!” he exclaimed, with a smile of surprise that had me laughing my way home.
Thank you Sellwood Cycle Repair for the bike/style expertise, and thank you Bettie for reminding us that no woman’s story is simple or superficial. Rest in peace, Ms. Page. Team S&M will help keep your spirit alive!
Sweet. No reason that truckers should get to have all the fun with their mudflaps.