It was a spectacular birth: Alligator Chassis No 1 cracked through an enormous Styrofoam egg to the delight of the assembled luminaries from the automotive world gathered at the Petersen Museum for a night of celebration.

While thanking the crowd at his newborn’s Hollywood coming-out-party, and giving a speech about the history of the Alligator motorcycle, Dan Gurney was interrupted by a rumbling sound. "I think I hear something" Bruce Meyer, Chairman of the Museum’s Chequered Flag Club shouted towards the podium. Hurriedly donning a doctor’s outfit and stethoscope, Dan made a path through the crowd running to the back of the room where sounds were heard from inside a giant Styrofoam Alligator egg. While he and Bruce put their ears close to the shell, it started to crack slowly apart. Like a model on a catwalk, the long low bike broke through and sashayed past the throng towards the stage with Alligator body designer Justin Gurney in the saddle. Surprised and delighted applause erupted and smiles were on every face: the Alligator was born ! And the baby in its dark blue and white Grand Prix outfit was pronounced healthy and beautiful !