O.C.C. History
When
you hear "Orange County" you may think of California, but
the HudsonValley boasts its own. And it's there, specifically in Rock
Tavern, N.Y., where you'll find Orange County Choppers — about
80 miles from New York City.
Established as a business in 1999, OCC Choppers grew out of Orange
County Ironworks, a steel fabrication enterprise founded nearly 30
years ago by custom-chopper builder and rider Paul Teutul Sr. OCC
Choppers jumped on the custom-bike scene at Daytona Biketoberfest
in 1999 with "True Blue," a classic chopper built in the
basement of Paul Sr.'s house.
Other OCC Choppers signature bikes soon followed, including the Spider
Bike, purchased by musician Wyclef Jean of the Fugees, and the Jet
Bike. Built to honor U.S. military forces in Afghanistan, the Jet
Bike was featured in the original American Chopper that aired on Discovery
Channel in September 2002.
OCC Choppers has garnered worldwide praise and recognition for their
custom motorcycles. In 2002, for example, OCC Choppers was recognized
by American Iron as one of the world's top 12 builders; likewise,
OCC Choppers will be among 19 other top builders profiled in the forthcoming
book Haute Motor: The Art of the Chopper (November 2003). Orange County
Chopper bikes have also been featured on numerous magazine covers
including American Iron, Freeway (France), Norsk Biker Journal (Norway)
and Street Chopper. And the Spider Bike was one of three bikes chosen
in the world-class competition at the Rats Hole Custom Show in Daytona,
Fla., to receive an "all expenses paid" trip to Germany,
the site of one of the biggest auto/bike shows in the world.
Today, OCC Choppers produces 150 choppers annually, with a staff of
eight employees located in their Rock Tavern, N.Y. garage. With the
popularity of their Discovery Channel series and a merchandise market
that is growing exponentially, the Orange County Choppers crew has
won the hearts of millions.
With the drive of Paul Teutul Sr. and the vision and creativity of
Paul Teutul, Jr., it's a garage that's come far in only four short
years. Just wait to see what comes next.
