The Pony Cycle's Short-Lived Success and Lasting Legacy

Hagerty automotive journalist Kyle Smith recently visited Terry Hawke's suburban Michigan garage to tell the full story of the Pony Cycle scooter—and the family behind it.

In 1950, Allen Hawke left his career at Ford Motor Company, purchased a factory in Clarkston, Michigan, and founded Hawk Tool & Engineering. Three years later, the first Pony Cycles rolled out of that same factory.

The Pony Cycle came in two flavors: a 3-horsepower Continental four-stroke single-cylinder, and a 6.5-hp version capable of reaching nearly 65 mph thanks to an internally developed centrifugally shifted two-speed transmission. The step-through design made it easy for anyone to operate, and a single drum brake inside the rear wheel was actuated by a T-bar below the handlebars.

Terry Hawke, who was just born when his grandfather Allen created the prototype, grew up around the Clarkston facility. He spent Saturdays at the shop with his father, became a regular part of the parade crew riding Pony Cycles in local events, and even served as a de facto durability tester—riding the railroad tracks to test the stamped steel rims and front suspension.

Today, Terry keeps the story of the Pony Cycle alive, preserving a small fleet of scooters, spare parts, and extra frames in the same 1950s garage.

Read the full article on Hagerty: The Pony Cycle's Short-Lived Success and Lasting Legacy