Cushman assembled its last typical consumer type scooter in 1966. While Cushmans were fine products in the 1950’s, they could not endure competition from Japanese motorcycle manufacturers who brought price and sophistication along with better distribution and marketing.
The newly named Cushman Eagle Motorcycle became the firm’s best seller ever. Then in 1949, Cushman redesigned its 50 series scooter borrowing styling cues from big American touring motorcycles like the Harley-Davidson Duo-Glide. The first was the famous Auto-Glide model which they started to manufacture in 1937. But the Cushman Motor Works of Omaha, Nebraska, which came along later in the lives of the Cushman brothers, also established a good reputation by building motor scooters. Over the years these engines powered lawn mowers, race boats, plows, pumps and more. Early power-plants were branded the Husky. Cousins Everett and Clinton Cushman began building engines in 1901.
