TUCSON, Ariz., Sept. 5, 2008 – Two unique custom items – a motorcycle and a Fender guitar - brought top bids in the Harley-Davidson MDA 105th Anniversary online auction held over Labor Day weekend.

Custom-made Harley-Davidson themed Fender Stratocaster guitar.

Harley-Davidson, a national sponsor for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and key suppliers donated 105 items to the auction as part of the company’s 105th anniversary celebration in Milwaukee. The auction was held Aug. 21 through Sept. 4, and all proceeds support the research and services programs of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

A custom black Stratocaster guitar went for $35,088 at the auction, in bidding so intense that the auction cut-off had to be extended several times.

The guitar was designed and built by revered, 20-year Custom Shop veteran Master Builder Scott Buehl in collaboration with the Harley-Davidson Styling Department. It is one of three to be made, with the other two being donated to the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, and Fender Museum in Corona, Calif.

A Harley-Davidson Softail Rocker motorcycle that was publically customized by Harley-Davidson technicians at a “Bike Build” during the 105th anniversary celebration fetched $30,022.

All together, the auction raised $107,000 for MDA.

Scarlett Marchman, MDA director of program development, called the auction an exceptional example of corporate philanthropy. “From the top two items, both customized by two great American manufacturing icons, down to the smallest details, Harley-Davidson bent over backward to show its commitment to helping MDA and the people it serves,” she said.

Luke Christie, MDA’s 15-year-old MDA Harley-Davidson Ambassador (and former MDA National Goodwill Ambassador), was on hand in Milwaukee to autograph the custom bike’s gas tank during the Bike Build, and helped turn a few screws. Luke has spinal muscular atrophy, one of the more than 40 muscle diseases covered by MDA.

MDA is a voluntary health agency working to defeat muscular dystrophy and related diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive patient and community services and far-reaching professional and public health education.

The Association’s programs are funded almost entirely by individual private contributors.