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1939 - 2016

BORN

1939

DIED

2016

Doug Bingham Obituary

DOUGLAS C. BINGHAM
AKA
Mr. Sidecar
The Godfather of Sidecars

Doug passed away of cancer at his home in Reseda, CA, on January 27, 2016, he was 76 years old. Originally a native of Buffalo, NY, (born April 1, 1939) Doug moved with his family to Southern California in the 1940's where he resided until his passing.

Affectionately known as "Mr. Sidecar," Mr. Bingham was a 50-year AMA member and Charter Life Member. He received the 1998 AMA MVP Award for advancing the cause of motorcycling and was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2003.

Since the 1960s Mr. Bingham raced, designed, manufactured and distributed motorcycle sidecars. He also developed new uses for sidecars, organized events that were enjoyed by enthusiasts and the general public, and served as an ambassador for both the business and pleasure sides of motorcycling.

Mr. Bingham captured the inaugural AMA Sidecar Road Racing Championship in 1968 with co-pilot Ed Wade aboard a Harley-Davidson-powered, Bingham-designed racer. They captured the title again in 1969.

In 1969, Bingham incorporated his sidecar business, Side Strider Inc., in Van Nuys, Calif. He then began production of the Bingham Mark I, which was the first new sidecar design in decades. The sidecar was featured in the December 1969 issue of Popular Science as being innovative, handsomely designed and reasonably priced.

ABC television contacted Mr. Bingham in 1984 about constructing a mobile camera platform to be used for Olympic event coverage. Bingham modified an electric motorcycle and attached a sidecar camera platform.

Television producers and the sports and film industries called on Mr. Bingham to develop and pilot camera sidecars. He was recognized with multiple Emmy Awards for Outstanding Videography and Live Event Coverage.

Additionally, in 2014, he donated more than 600 motorcycle-themed toys, which are currently on display at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.

When it came to sidecars Doug was truly the man, the myth and the legend. He was "The Promoter" of sidecars, nobody worked harder at promoting the fun of sidecaring than Doug. His greatest sidecar promotion is the long running Griffith Park Sidecar Rally, this was his life's Crown Jewel. The stories of Doug and his little shop on Arminta Street in Van Nuys, CA, are legendary. He was everybody's friend, never too busy to talk sidecars or listen to a good story about what you were doing or an idea you had.

Doug is survived by his lovey, Liz Gibbons; son, Scott Bevens; brother, Bruce (Sharon) Bingham; nephew and niece, Kurt (Anh) Bingham and Bethany (Lanton) Phillips; cousins, Roger (Laura) and Guy (Mary) Bingham; and a large extended family and many dear friends. God Speed Doug, you are truly missed

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Los Angeles Daily News on Feb. 7, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Doug Bingham

Sponsored by Los Angeles Daily News.

17 Entries

Tristan E.

August 27, 2023

I have uploaded a documentary from 2003 about Doug's Griffith Park Sidecar Rally. RIP. https://youtu.be/shm2YxeewF4

Doug's build for me

Barry Alexander

May 14, 2019

I met Doug thru researching the Internet for Sidecars as I had purchased a 1983 R90/6 with a Velorex Sidecar attached. Doug invited me to his shop in Van Nuys, CA. Instant Friend and Mentor on my first foray into Sidecars. Been riding Desert (District 37) and street since 1963 (16 yrs old). Doug added a Shimmy Damper and checked alignment and explained the reason for the placement of the wheel and brackets for my rig. I had Doug install another Velorex on my 2007 Triumph Bonneville. His shop was an amazing Museum of his Life. Spent a lot of time just being taught the hard work it took to accomplish his gifts to the World of Motorcycles. I am proud to have been able to spent so much valuable time with him. I recently puchased another rig built by Doug from his Friend, Dave Tice. He is remembered by all who knew him and is being introduced to those new to Sidecars through his long lasting (47 yrs I think) Griffith Park Sidecar Rally. Huell Howser did a show with Doug one year and the world got a peek at the following of Sidecars popularity. Miss you Doug, your Friend, Barry.

Norman May

June 11, 2017

I met Doug at his shop a few years back on a trip to the U.S. from Canada and later purchased a leading link front end from him for my sons Goldwing. We talked a few times over the phone on later occasions and I always found him to be knowledgeable and gregarious with plenty of useful information.

I'll always remember him slyly chiding me when we were on the topic of politics about, as he put it, "throwing off the yoke of the monarchy and the need for a revolution over the Kings illegal right of taxation without representation. It was his way of teasing me about being a "Canuck" with my ties to England. He also told me stories of how he came into the sidecar world almost by accident after placing well in a race and never looked back. He told me some about the Lady in his life and how she had stuck by him over what at times was a long hard road. Personal things. The things that made the man he was, and yes, the human being he was.

As I travel down my road in this life, I'll miss those conversations. You see, even though I only met him once and talked to him half a dozen times, Doug was one of few that I considered a friend. Someone I respected and valued as a good man and a kindred spirit. I will miss him.....

Steve and Linda Young

June 3, 2017

Several years ago, while were on the"Sunrise Navigation Rally" I crashed our rig into a ditch in Fillmore. This resulted in my wife getting knocked out, my foot being crushed and our rig suffering extensive damage. The rig was hauled off to an impound lot where the guard dog devoured the side car seat and at the same time my wife and I were taken to what was called "emergency". Since both of us couldn't do anything, we were unable to recover our rig from impound. Doug and Jim Strader went to the impound lot and retrieved the rig, paid the impound fee, put what was left on a trailer and hauled it back to his shop. Later, Doug brought our rig down to us and dropped it of at the house.Hauling it almost a hundred miles in total.
If that isn't the mark of a truly great person as well as a great friend, I really don't know what would be.
DB, we miss you every day, we can only pray you are in a much better place however, you are in our hearts all the time

Don Huntley

June 2, 2017

See you later buddy.

Huntley and Ritchie

(Sidecar) Bob Kingsmill

August 29, 2016

I am saddened to learn that Doug is no longer with us. Doug & I emailed a number of times over the years and had just one phone conversation a long time ago but I know I will miss knowing that he is there. My condolences to his family.

August 8, 2016

Met Doug 3 times for sidecar service of an outfit he originally setup for the previous owner of my rig. That includes after an unplanned offroad iceplant excursion where the sidecar was pointing up in the air, and I was looking at the sky. Neither the outfit nor I suffered serious injury at 60 mph. What a nice guy any man would like to call friend, brother, uncle, grandpa (i didn't really qualify in any category, just a dedicated customer). My goodness one could spend hours (or days) with him just talking about stuff laying around in his shop or up on the walls at Sidestrider.

[email protected]

July 20, 2016

Yes the the great ones leave us so too soon. I d like to know who will continue the side car show? Thanks for any leads for contacts to continue this tradition . Vic Gallardo at [email protected] ,,,docent at Murphy auto museum in Oxnard.

Tom O'Leary

July 4, 2016

As a mentor and friend, Doug was the greatest. Thanks for the lessons and I will pass them on.
- Tom "Porkchopp" O'Leary, www.sidecarcanada.com

Nadia Pippus

June 15, 2016

Such sad news to hear of Doug's passing. He was a friend for many years..I went to the first Griffith Park Rally with him and every year since, he would remember to send me a t-shirt or some kind of memorabilia when it was rally time.
My deepest condolences to Liz and all of Doug's family and many, many friends. He will most definitely be missed.

Steve Young

February 20, 2016

Been friends with Doug since 1969 never, was there a better friend than Doug.
My family and I miss him greatly but be sure we will never forget him.
Ride on Buddy and be at peac.

Kurt Liebhaber

February 11, 2016

Doug was always more than willing to send me copies of photos of sidecar rigs he put together.
Also older classic British sidecars.
I have a folder full of those pictures.
All of us who love side-cars will miss a good friend.
God be with you.
Kurt Liebhaber
SCF sidecars
Oregon,Illinois

Peter Samish

February 9, 2016

My friend (Dennis Wooley) and I raced sidehacks in the early '70s. The rig Doug built for us went a long way in helping Dennis and I become the number one moto-cross team in 1972. After retiring from racing, I stayed in touch with Doug and attended his rally in Griffith Park. Doug was not only a great guy, but also an innovative pioneer. The likes of Doug Bingham don't come along every day. He will be sorely missed.

mary sontag

February 9, 2016

We at Motorvation are so sorry to hear of Doug's passing. Our sincerest condolences to family and friends. He will be missed by all of us here. His contributions and mentoring to the world of sidecars are immeasurable. He leaves quite a legacy.

Mary at Motorvation

Tom Whitebirch

February 8, 2016

Sorry to hear of Doug's passing. Met him many years ago. He knew I was a hat collector so when he was in South Korea for the Olympics he brought me back a hat with the Olympics logo. A very thoughtful man. Also attended many meetings with him. God bless you Doug..

75th Birthday Party

Susie Ellsworth

February 8, 2016

My Condolences to Liz and Family and Friends.
Have known Doug more years than I can count. Attended all the Sidecar Rally's at Griffith Park. Will remember all the fun and adventures thru the years with Mr. Sidecar.

February 8, 2016

Our heavenly Father shares your grief and pain. Reading HIS words will strengthen, comfort and give you peace (Isa. 41:10) at this sorrowful time.

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