Brad Pitt allegedly dropped $350K on a vintage Nazi motorbike: yikes or fine?

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One of my guilty-pleasure shows is the History Channel’s American Pickers. I LOVE THAT SHOW. I like the main picker, Mike Wolfe, and his love of weird, rare and old objects. What I’ve never really understood is his love of really old, broken down, rust-bucket cars, bikes and motorcycles. I probably don’t understand it because I’m sort of missing that car gene – I like to look at vintage wheels, but I don’t care to learn much about them. But I’m guessing that Brad Pitt is probably a lot like Mike Wolfe. Pitt maybe/probably hunted down an extremely rare sidecar… used by Nazis.

Brad Pitt has splashed out $385,000 on a rare World War II Nazi motorbike. The movie star treated himself to the three-wheeled German bike that was used for reconnaissance missions in Greece. The actor, 51, has become obsessed collecting wartime relics after starring in blockbusters ‘Inglourious Basterds’ and ‘Fury’, reported the Daily Mirror.

The star’s new bike was used to travel through mountain ranges and across deserts on missions in the Greek island of Crete. When Nazi soldiers fled Crete in 1945, the bike was sold in a local auction to a bike collector in Athens, before being bought 20 years ago by a local collector called Yannis.

“It’s a way for wealthy people to invest their money and also enjoy their hobby,” he said.

He says: “There are only around 500 of these bikes worldwide so they are collectors pieces like paintings and go up in value all the time. Even the parts are expensive if they are original. I had to replace a small piece of metal on this bike and it cost me $2,300.”

[From NYDN]

I have mixed feelings about anyone purchasing actual Nazi stuff. The Daily Mirror has one photo of the bike – go here to see. It doesn’t look like there are any swastikas stamped on the bike, which might mean that the bike is worth LESS to some people. Anyway… Brad Pitt drops $350K on a Nazi bike, just for the hell of it. It wouldn’t surprise me if he really did make this purchase, just like it wouldn’t surprise me if he had been quietly buying up historical pieces all this time. He’s supposed to have quite the modern art collection too. Hm.

Note by Celebitchy: I ride a sidecar and this bike is incredible. Most of the modern sidecars are based on the original German sidecars used in WWII. I completely understand Pitt wanting to own this bike. He has a Ural Patrol, he’s been seen riding with Pax in it, and I understand why he wanted an original WWII version, Nazi connection notwithstanding.

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Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet.

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149 Responses to “Brad Pitt allegedly dropped $350K on a vintage Nazi motorbike: yikes or fine?”

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  1. E.M. MAXX says:

    He’s a moron

    • Yoohoo says:

      Why? Are all things Germany and nazi related from ww2 supposed to be destroyed? Hidden away the rest of eternity? It’s an artifact from a war. It happened to be used by the bad side. Japan ans Russia were also the enemy in ww2 but I bet no one would care if he bought a Japanese motorcycle wartime mortocycle.

      • DianaM says:

        Russia was enemy in ww2? Really? Tell that to millions and millions of Russians who died in battles against Germans and even more civilian victims – by far, the biggest numbers of any country.

      • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

        Um, I’m pretty sure Russia was on our side.

      • Yoohoo says:

        My history is rusty. I was thinking at the beginning of the war when Russia worked with Germany to divide up some conquered territories. Russia did think about joining Germany after most of Europe was over taken but did not which is when Germany invaded russia.

        I apologize for my bad history.

      • ImFlying says:

        Brad pit ‘is’ a moron, in several ways.

      • Bridget says:

        We all make mistakes, though I’d actually suggest reading up on Russia’s involvement in WW2 through the end of the war, as it will actually give context for present day Russia.

        Though for what it’s worth, the USSR actually did initially sign a Non-Aggression Pact with Germany, and they essentially divided up some of North Eastern Europe between the two of them. Obviously events moved the USSR into open engagement against the Germans and with the Allies.

      • Neil says:

        Russia may have been on the side of the Allies and they certainly carried the brunt of the load in the European theater but they weren’t above sharing secrets with the Japanese when it suited their territorial goals in the Pacific. You could say they have blood on their hands for that, but what nation doesn’t?
        On the topic of Brad Pitt’s bike, he collects them and it isn’t because it’s a Nazi bike, it’s because it’s a vintage German bike from the second World War. This is nothing new. As a matter of fact war veterans them selves have for the longest time cooperated with one time enemies to purchase and restore things like Russian tanks, British planes, German motorbikes…..

      • Shijel says:

        As a citizen of a country that was briefly under Nazi occupation, and then under Soviet occupation for the following 45 years, who has close family alive whose parents and family died in the war, were deported in cattle wagons to Siberian labour camps, and who fought for both Nazi and Soviet sides due to conscription, I have zero problems with people collecting Nazi or Soviet memorabilia. It’s history. It happened. It sucked. Yet, even the worst of of it deserves to be preserved, whether in museums or in careful collectors’ hands.

        And in the end, it’s a motorcycle. A machine.
        But I’m sure someone here would just love to tell me how I’m wrong and tasteless I am.

    • Ysohawt1 says:

      Love Brad.
      He seems like a good person. He built homes for Katrina Victim’s and does a lot of good.
      He can collect motorcycles.

      My jewish landlord bought a vintage Merecedes at Auction from Germany, he said he wanted it. People with money buy things.

      • JohnWayneLives says:

        I agree. Very cool 🙂

      • Elisha says:

        Agree, not a BP lover by any means at all, but I fail to see how he’s a “moron” for buying a piece of history. Don’t they say that about VWs? We don’t call people driving around Volkswagen bugs morons.

      • Jib says:

        He bought a Nazi bike and rides it with his kid. And thats ok? seriously???

        I’m starting do think this is an age thing, because I see a lot of young jewelers on Instagram trying to “bring back the swastika,” and wearing it hanging among tattooed cleavage. Totally clueless about the horror and pain of the Nazis or they wouldn’t do this. I don’t think many young people know holocaust survivors anymore: how could they? Thus, most don’t get what happened in WWII.

      • Lana says:

        Jib you’re being unreasonable. It is not a ‘Nazi bike’ as some here say. It is a bike from Germany during the era of a war. Does that make every single bike, bus or car a ‘Nazi bus’ or ‘Nazi car’ or even ‘Nazi pushbike’, JUST because it came from a country that was – at one – ruled by Nazis? There are no Nazi stickers on the bike. It is……JUST A BIKE. From a country that ONCE was ruled by Nazis. For a short time in history. People need to get a grip with their hysteria over this.

    • Armenthrowup says:

      I agree. What an arse. I agree he can collect anything he wants but anyone knows anything Nazi is in very very poor taste. Would the rest of you be so supportive if he bought some cans of Zyklon B? You’re just defending him because he’s (yawn) Brad Pitt.

      • JohnWayneLives says:

        I couldn’t disagree more. Nazi artifacts are fantastic history. Just as valid as things from America or Japan from that time.

      • E.M. MAXX says:

        And thank you !!!
        Brad Pitt can do what he wants with the $$$$
        He’s made over the years with his piss poor acting . However when his humanitarian wife spends a lot of her time FIGHTING the ideology of Nazi types …well I think it’s in poor taste as well

      • mltpsych says:

        Exactly this. When it was Jesse whoever, Sandra Bullock’s ex everyone was up in arms.

      • Jrzladee says:

        I’m curious.. What do you feel about people who buy cotton and tobacco from America? Who collect American antebellum artifacts?

    • meme says:

      you cannot say that here. it’s not allowed.

    • Colette says:

      Anyone who believes this probably believes this alleged motorcycle is parked next to the waterfall,helicopter,island,1000ft olive tree,etc he or Angie has bought according to the tabloids.
      Bye

    • Palapa says:

      Geez. You always drag in “those who shall not be named” into every Brangelina post. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. We get it you hate his ex, let it go already. You don’t even know these people.

    • justagirl says:

      Why is it so common now that people throw “Jealous” and “hater” at anyone who dislikes someone???

      It’s possible to dislike someone for reasons that have nothing to do with being jealous, or being a hater. GAH I wish this would stop being a thing.

    • TLOH1366 says:

      Well, he didn’t have the commitment to graduate. And U. of Missouri is state school and not a top ranking one at that. I guess compared to his bride who has only GED and has no higher education. He is technically the more educated of the two. But then again I am an Ivy leaguer, so I am a sob in terms of education.

      • Lana says:

        TLOH1366, Angelina graduated Beverly Hills High School a year ahead of her peers, at the age of 16. No ‘GED’. Just saying.

    • Bridget says:

      You know what’s a bad sign? When you make the same retort as a Kardashian: “you’re just jealous”

    • Lady D says:

      TLOH1366, I don’t think it was necessary to brag about being an sob.

    • Judd says:

      Cleo, college educated? How desperate can one reach! “College Educated” would mean he graduated which, he did NOT.

      • Lana says:

        Judd, You’re the one reaching. College educated means he received an education – at a college. Whether he graduated or not, is not the point. He was one or 2 credits off graduating. You don’t suddenly switch from being not college educated even though you are a mere 2 credits off, to suddenly being college educated, 2 credits after. He may not have graduated, but he DID receive SOME college education.

    • LeAnn Stinks says:

      I agree, E.M.,

      If this is true, I find this disgusting and tasteless. Anyone who invests in any Nazi memorabilia will always get a side eye from me, and the line, “I am a fan of the era,” doesn’t wash away all the stink, either.

      • Ennie says:

        (side eye from me to you) It’s technology.
        There are heroes, villains and the people in the middle, who work and live in the good or bad side.
        There is that move, The Wind Rises, about the designer of the Zero airplanes in Japan. I understand the damage some things did, but collecting technology and history is not a bad thing, I think it promotes a science culture.
        I am from a so-called 3rd world country, where we do not create a lot of technology, a lot of things have to be imported. When I visited Germany I went to local museums and it amazed me how some technologic artifacts such as motors, etc. were displayed and how people admired them. They really took their time in appreciating the items. It awed me more to see that, than the actual artifacts.
        A very different culture from mine, where a lot of times we have to drag the school children to a museum so they can at least visit one during their childhood.
        Also, in many movies and documentaries, artifacts like those appear, who do you think are the owners? Present day nazis?

      • LeAnn Stinks says:

        It seems my initial response to you did not make it through.

        I disagree completely with you on this issue. This is not a matter of technological proficiency, it a matter of morals and conscience.

        To own memorabilia from one of the most evil regimes, when you are not a museum, library or school, whose main purpose to educate the masses about these atrocities, makes me questions ones moral fiber.

        Finally, Pitt must have burned off quite a few brain cells smoking those funny cigarettes he professes to love because the Nazi regime would have had no use for all of his adopted children. Enough said.

      • Rosalee says:

        We have three paintings that were created by a Nazi POW while he was in a Camp in Northern Canada. My father-in-law fought in WWII he collected items from battles and came home with knives and assorted other trinkets – the paintings he bought from a soldier returning to Germany..we have decided to donate the all the items to a museum they could be sold since there are collectors out willing to pay for Nazi memorabilia but to sell the collection feels wrong. I don’t view the paintings as art but artifacts.

      • amunet ma'at says:

        @Leann

        Do you give the side eye to the Americans during that time who kept Japanese Americans in Interment Camps? I mean we are always so quick to clutch pearls and be so pious about these types of international issues while ignoring the complexity and interconnecting history involved. Seriously, it was an item used by Germans, who are known for their ingenuity of this type of item. It’s not as if he was seeking a Nazi item, by a known Nazi because he agrees with that philosophy.

    • Babalon says:

      Cleo reading folks for absolute FILTH today.

      I laughed sooo hard at this post. Omg.

    • E.M. MAXX says:

      Ok that made zero sense …..

    • Jib says:

      Yup. Total moron and complete ignoramus. Riding around on a Nazi bike with your kid. It boggles my mind how stupid and insensitive this is. Jerk.

      • Ysohawt1 says:

        Totally disagree.
        Everyone knows Brad fights for the downtrodden and has helped those in need. If he wanted a motorcycle from History, even a dark part of history, he can buy it,

        I have a wealthy African American lawyer friend that buys Dolls and obscure items from the days of slavery in the US ,it does not mean he endorses it. It’s part of a history and he wanted To collect these things,even from this very dark period. . End of.

      • amunet ma'at says:

        @Ysohawt1

        I may be dating myself, but I remember an episode of A Different World where someone had Mammy memorabilia and Kim had a huge problem with it. Basically, the episode devolved with Kim understanding that collecting those artifacts was not about supporting the hatred but about reaching an understanding and considerating for that time in the past. For items like this, I don’t think it’s as black and white as if a Nazi maybe owned it then it’s bad.I think it’s about the intention and philosophy of that person. How horrible for the tribes that used the swastika for years as a symbol to only get it hijacked.

    • Jib says:

      Stop apologizing for someone who collects Nazi stuff. It’s incredibly offensive and hurtful,to many people. And besides, Brad doesn’t care if you are even alive. Stop licking his boots. It’s embarrassing.

  2. Nancy says:

    I always thought this was a strange dude. I picture him most like himself in True Romance. Won’t talk about the nostalgia of the Hitler regime, wow just too much. My question is why is the father of five or six zooming around on a motorcycle. Know he likes bikes, maybe just another 50 something old guy thing to do. Yipes

    • KellyBee says:

      I’m confused by your comment are you saying that people with childrens shouldn’t ride motorcycles and if they do it to mid life crisis?

      • Nancy says:

        He purchases a Nazi motorcycle and you’re confused by my statement? I’m not a motorcycle enthusiast although once upon a time I was. I now feel unless you really know what you’re doing, what the other people in traffic are doing and are dressed for the occasion, it’s the rider’s life and their choice to ride. I won’t back down on the midlife crisis, that is mid life if he lives to be over 100. In his later years in particular, however, I do find him to be an odd character.

      • KellyBee says:

        Lol right in the title of this post it say he allegedly brought the bike, which means we don’t know if it’s true. As somebody pointed they said keep WW2 tank, he bought the islan, he bought a crazy expensive watch, can you brought a national tree, a waterfall and so on. All of which have turned out to be false.

      • Colette says:

        Your comment clearly mentions his kids so why mention his kids and not just the Nazi angle.You sound confused.

    • SunnyD says:

      @Cleo I’m not sure what Jennifer Aniston or Justin Theroux have to do with this or why you brought them up. Commenters are questioning Brad Pitt’s judgement for (allegedly) buying what might be considered to be Nazi memorabilia.

    • Nancy says:

      SunnyD: Thank you. I said not one word about his wife or his children specifically. I just personally find it irresponsible to ride these motorcycles which are so dangerous when you have little ones. The entire crux of my opinion is the man bought a Nazi bike. I think, if true, it’s despicable. I’m not going to lie and say I like him, but to be accused of “cat scratching” is ludicrous and could only come from the mouth of a fanatic fan of his.

    • Nancy says:

      Cleo: I have not one clue of whom you are speaking about. Must be code. Someone takes posts a tad too seriously.

    • KellyBee says:

      Did I miss something because Cleo didn’t mention Jen or Justin in this comment nor did they mention his kids.

      @ Nancy

      More drivers and passengers are killed in car crashes a year then they are in motorcycle chasers. So unless every patent that drives a car or rides in a car is irresponsible, then your comment on parent who drive motorcycles doesn’t hold water.

    • Ennie says:

      hahahaha omg the Jolie-Pitt ” dislikers” are too obvious. I call balls.

    • Nancy says:

      @KellyBee: I know the statistics. The same holds true for flying, yet I see a lot of white knuckles every time I board. There are drivers that love to mess with bikers and do so often. I have a personal reason as well, as one of my friends lost his leg in a motorcycle accident and another lost her life. I’ve ridden and been a passenger on Harleys and know the thrill and fun of it, but also am aware of the danger. God bless him let him do as he pleases, it seems he always has.

  3. Luca76 says:

    Well thank god it doesn’t seem to have any connection to the actual Holocaust and the SS. Germany at that time was responsible for a lot of innovation some of which we still use today so in a way I understand it even if it’s something I don’t have any interest in.

    • carol says:

      I missed something it seems. Didn’t the story say the sidecar was used in Crete? During WWII? The Nazi occupation of Greece led to thousands of deaths, many civilians were slaughtered. I just think it’s gross to buy something that was once built and owned by a nazi. What strikes me as weird is that AJ deals with refugees and victims of genocide. I can’t imagine her being OK with Brad owning the side car. Story smells fishy.

    • Ennie says:

      As if war did not accelerate technology. Morc, you have to include antibiotics like penicillin, of course.
      War is to be loathed, but what are we going to do with these type of mentality? Kill all germans, Japanese and every people that are descendants of baddies, and destroy every thing that has been on the bad side in a war?
      I bet almost every ethnicity has a bad story to hide or forget. He is not buying venom or weapons of mass destruction.
      I bet the USA made war improvements that caused pain and destruction to enemies (and probably innocent families) in that same WWII war or others. .. Also, some of those advances in technology have made our life easier.
      James Bond should not use a Walther PPK gun, then.
      Should I not buy a VW, Mercedes or BMW car? (they descend from cars and improvements made during the war -by Germans), or many things Japanese. .. you get my drift.
      http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/technology/7907/top-inventions-and-technical-innovations-of-world-war-2

      • Jib says:

        False equivalence.

        A modern Mercedes or VW was not used by Nazis for Nazi business.

        See?

      • Elisa the I. says:

        @Ennie: thanks for your comment. I’m amazed how people are simplifying things here. I so agree that every ethnicity has blood on there hands. There is always the good, the bad and the ugly in any war – just like everywhere.
        You are aware that this is the Germany that is now taking in 1 mio refugees from Syria and was the only European country to say (Angela Merkel) that we – as humans – have an obligation to welcome those in need NOW (despite Dublin II, according to which Germany would have no obligation to take in these refugees). These descendants of Nazis, tztztz

  4. Neah23 says:

    So is this like the WW2 tank he didn’t buy, or the island they didn’t buy, or the vintage helicopter he didn’t buy or the watch that was never brought ex…..? Or is this story actually true?

  5. Kaye says:

    He earned his money and he gives plenty to charity. Why not buy it?

  6. funcakes says:

    No way in H$LL Angie’s going to let that happen!

  7. Esteph says:

    I don’t find an issue or am bothered by his purchase. I want to see him ride shirtless on a motorcycle though 😉

  8. vauvert says:

    I am a car geek and I completely understand his desire to own a rare vintage bike. Listen, the bike didn’t choose who was driving it in WW2. The fact that Nazis used it doesn’t make it less interesting a piece of machinery. Also it sounds like he bought it from a Greek collector – not anyone connected to the Nazis, like a heir or something… Why should this be scandalous?

    • Astrid says:

      well said…my thoughts as well

    • Bridget says:

      I agree. It’s not like the money is going to Neo Nazi causes or anything like that.

    • Palapa says:

      That bike is f*cking awesome, I would love to own it as well. And I agree with Bridget, as long as it’s not profiting a hate group or the like, it’s a great collector’s piece.

      • Melanie says:

        The bike is from a hate group called the Nazis. I am sure if this was any other celeb, you would no doubt criticize them for owning such a bike.

      • G says:

        @ Melanie – then I hope you never ride in a VW, Mercedes, or BMW because Nazi’s used to drive those as well.

      • Bridget says:

        WW2 is a part of history, both the tragedy and the triumph. It’s important that we learn from history, and some folks learn through objects and artifacts. It’s not a gas chamber canister, or a book bound in human skin. The bike is an amazing piece of engineering, not something celebrating the Nazi party.

      • Marny says:

        @G- driving a 2004 VW is definitely not the same thing as driving 1 of only 50 remaining bikes driven by actual Nazis during the war. I’m not saying I have a problem with it- I kind of couldn’t care less but, in my opinion, they are two very different things.

    • laura in LA says:

      vauvert, I’m a car geek as well!

      You might enjoy hearing this: I just spoke with a restorer in my area who has a number of special cars on his lot (’58 Corvette, ’69 Shelby Cobra, ’70s ‘Cuda, etc.) belonging to one collector who has about 100 others, some of which he sells quickly for a very good profit.

      Anyway, given that most collectors of such rare items usually keep them in private storage, and since one of these sidecars probably has a Nazi insignia somewhere on it, I just can’t see Brad riding around with this. So I’m side-eyeing this story.

  9. Sure Jan says:

    I’m not in to policing people’s wallets and let alone rich people. He seems in to motorcycles I’m not going to criticize him for his hobby he has the money to do it.

  10. Sarah says:

    Oh man I wish I had that kind of money – but anything Nazi related – Never!

  11. sassy says:

    no shade its an investment like an antique car – money better spent than how some chicks spend on designer purses etc.

  12. shakeit says:

    I know it’s not American Pickers but i watched an episode of Pawn Stars and this guy bought a medal pin at a garage sale for a dollar or less and found out through the show that it was a Poland / Germany medal and it’s related to / has a significant meaning before and after the Nazi occupation and it was worth over $40 thousand dollars. The next day, a collector bought it right away.

    So i feel like this is one of those stuff (if this is even true). Anything that is related to Nazi is still highly collectible.

    • Bridget says:

      WW2 items in general are highly collectable – especially anything original and in good condition. A lot of people are fascinated with that part of history.

    • doofus says:

      FYI, that show is completely staged. virtually all of the stuff that comes in (like the pin you mentioned) are actually owned by collectors who know how much they’re worth and they’re asked to bring them in to be one of the “you never know what’s going to come through that door” items. in some cases, it’s the actual “expert” (gun, car, antique toy) who owns the piece that they’re “appraising”. the grandfather/son/grandson don’t even work the store anymore and all of the footage you see is taken while the store is closed. the “customers” you see in the background are all extras.

      very disappointing as I used to be a fan of it, too.

      • BB says:

        When my sister and law, her husband, and a bunch of their friends went to Vegas two years ago, they all decided they wanted to go to the pawn shop from Pawn Stars (sfsl, don’t remember the name). Two cab drivers actually told them they don’t go there from the strip, and the third, who ended up taking them, warned them that it was way off the beaten path and not the best place to go. He also told them that the guys from the show are rarely in there when they are not filming. They still went and were all gung ho about meeting the guys and buying something from the shop. Lo and behold it was a total bust, the area was sketchy, no one from the show was there and all the items were normal, typical pawn shop items. It’s just like Storage Wars where they put items in the units beforehand. I like American Pickers, but I’m sure items are added and that it staged, too!

      • BrandyAlexander says:

        BB, I live in Vegas and that pawn shop is actually on Las Vegas Blvd, between the strip & Freemont. The neighborhood is a little sketchy, but they’re actually cleaning it up and I think the pawn star guys are building some kind of complex right next to it for stores & restaurants. I’m surprised the cab drivers wouldn’t take them there as it’s not far. Everything else sounds right though, and I would add – there is always a line around the clock just to get in, and I can’t fathom why anyone would waste their time waiting to just go in.

      • lucy2 says:

        Yup, all staged. Friend of a friend is the buyer for one of those types of shows, gets stuff at antique shops or wherever, and then the show plants it to be “discovered”.

  13. Desertrose says:

    Yikes indeed. Sounds like something Jesse James would do.

    • Yoohoo says:

      How? It’s a collectible motorcycle. He isn’t posing with it with a fake mustache and a swastika arm band while he salutes hitler.

      • Melanie says:

        Its still something that belonged to the Nazis. Just because the Swastika isn’t on it doesn’t mean its okay. But he is Brad Pitt and this is CB, so for some strange reason he will get a pass for it.

      • emma says:

        I agree.
        As I posted below:
        As I posted below:
        It’s hard once you start delving into the accusation of nazis used it, so we cannot, and any use of something like that would be an endorsement of nazis. Hugo Boss designed the nazi uniforms, Chase Bank helped fund the nazis, Ford produced many nazi trucks, IBM helped with the data tracking system of the Jewish people in the Holocaust, and of course Volkswagen, and the Autobahn (which was the inspiration for the american highway system).

        It’d be one thing if he’s driving around in a full-blown nazi uniform and heil-hitlering all over the place. But wanting a fun sidecar motorbike is a benign issue.

  14. Esmom says:

    Here’s the thing. I think certain celebs who would buy this item would be raked over the coals. Brad, I think, will mostly get a free pass because he’s Brad Pitt. I say this as a fan, by the way.

    • Jayna says:

      I totally agree. If this was Ben Affleck or George Clooney, all hell would break loose on here.

      I find it very ugh. I recently watched Schindler’s List again and it has stayed with me so strongly. I find it distasteful purchasing it. Each to his own, though.

      • Citygirl says:

        If this BS story was about CLooney or Ben you would not see a problem with them supposably buying this bike or you would be calling this story for what it is which is BS.

      • Kitten says:

        Yeah that was my first thought as well, Jayna.

        On a personal level, I struggled through something similar when I bought my German boyfriend a vintage WW2 German watch for Christmas last year. It didn’t have any Nazi stuff on it but I def. wondered if it had been owned/used by a Nazi. It def. gave me pause, but not enough pause to not buy it. lol Hey, it’s a really cool watch!

      • teacakes says:

        @Kitten – well, there were German civilians in Germany too during that time, who would have the means to own such a watch.

        If I’ve bought my mother Chanel* perfume for Christmas without being obliged to think twice about it, your boyfriend’s watch shouldn’t cause you stress.

        *currently owned and operated by the descendants of Coco Chanel’s Jewish business partners

    • Don't kill me I'm French says:

      many commentaries would be different if it was not about Pitt .
      Double standard

    • I think it’s strange that anyone would care???? It’s not like he allegedly bought something that was owned or made by current day Nazis. I like looking at old things–not any kind of machinery–but as long as it doesn’t have swastikas all over it, I don’t really see the issue. With anyone.

      • Melanie says:

        If you don”t understand why some people might be offended, maybe you should do some research on Nazism and read about the holocaust. People lost their lives you know and the Nazis were horrible. It doesn’t matter if the bike is slathered with Nazi symbols or not, its still something came from the Nazis.

      • @Melanie
        So what’s your opinion of people who still live/own/buy old plantations in the South….that were built/funded on the backs of slaves? I’m black/biracial. I love love the architecture and style of those houses. I have no issues with someone buying a plantation and wanting to live there–as long as they understand that it isn’t just a pretty house. Assuming he even bought this bike……….it’s history. I think it’s very interesting. I would feel differently if the item in question was something covered in racist symbols or actually made from someone’s body parts (unless I was going to donate it to a museum or something similar)…..but this is how I feel. Whether or not it’s Brad Pitt or whoever else that bought it.

      • Tulip Garden says:

        @Virgilia, I agree with your entire post. Besides which, it can always be thought of as a “to the victor, go the spoils” sort of thing. It’s not like Nazi’s or slave-owners prevailed. They lost and now others get their stuff👍

      • @Tulip Garden
        Also just thought of Elizabeth Taylor and the Krupp Diamond. Which was originally owned by a German Nazi family. Was Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor terrible people for wanting that diamond? Is the person who bought it (or owns it…no clue if she gave it away in her will or if it was auctioned) a terrible person for wanting that?

        Shoot–Elizabeth Taylor also bought a jeweled pin (it think it’s a feather?) that used to belong to Wallis Simpson….a Nazi sympathizer.

        Is that problematic?

      • Bridget says:

        VC: Dead on. WW2 was THE defining conflict of the 20th century, and many history buffs are drawn to study it and collect memorabilia. That may ultimately mean one or two items from the Germans/Axis states. As with everything, context is key. If it’s a few items in a larger collection of WW2 memorabilia, chances are the guy is just interested in history. If it’s a garage full of Nazi items, then you’ve got a problem.

      • Tulip Garden says:

        You can bet that I wouldn’t say no to the Krupp diamond, an antebellum home, a vintage well-maintened auto, or any other number of material things that terrible people have created/possessed. I particularly want a Scottish castle along the lines of Monarch of the Glen so if someone owns one and their conscious is bothering them…..I’ll take that burden!

      • @Bridget
        I think it was you that made the comment about the gas shower cannister—in theory…,I can see someone buying that just to remember. My mom buys “racist dolls” ( don’t know what else to call them)…they’re vintage dolls of basically how black women were seen. Generally they’re very dark, with a huge mouth that takes up the majority of their face, etc. She had a collection of them on a shelf right across from her bed. Every time I go in her room I see them. And I think about it.

        @Tulip Garden
        I also think the argument has a tendency to be pushed too far. Like alllll of the clothing brands that outright say they don’t want black people wearing their stuff. Does that mean that the non minorities that buy the clothes from whichever brand should be side eyed and thought of as racist? Or the people that work for that brand……

      • mltpsych says:

        Would you be ok with him buying something that was used to transport slaves in the South?

      • @mltpsych
        As long as he’s not acting as though it WASN’T used to transport slaves…then yea, I’d be cool with it. If I had the money and space to put it somewhere properly, then I would buy something like that. I think it’s important to never be forgotten.

        But it also neither here nor there–in terms of what you’re using it for. We don’t even know if he bought this thing–so if he did. Did he buy it because he collects motorcycles throughout history/based on their upgrades/technology? If he did, then as long as he acknowledges (to his kids, his friends–whoever sees the bike and asks him about it) that it came from a terrible war, etc….then I’m fine with it. If he bought it so he could ride in it–same thing. Especially if he’s going to take one of his kids for a ride. I think that would be a time to tell them something about history.

        With something used to transport slaves–that could be anything from a ship, to a carriage, to a cage, to leg irons, metal masks, etc…… I just said in my above comment that my mom buys racist caricature dolls of black people.

        Pretty much–as long as you don’t have a secret room in your basement full of swastikas, etc……then I don’t care what you buy, as long as you acknowledge its history.

      • Bridget says:

        Is someone under the impression that a motorcycle was used to transport the people that were killed in the Holocaust?

    • Lucy2 says:

      I was just thinking the same thing.

      This probably isn’t even true, as the tabloids like to make up stories about celeb spending, and it is his money, but I personaly would notbe comfortable owning that, or spending so much money on something like that.

    • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

      So true, Esmom. I would never want it near me – too many horrific associations, but I almost didn’t even bother to post that because he’s BP. I like him fine, but he gets a pass for everything.

    • G.F says:

      I totally agree! If someone else bought this bike, I worry that people’s sympathies and “laissez faire” attitude would disappear.

    • Tulip Garden says:

      You are probably right Esmom. Anyway, I’ll say about Pitt what I would also say about any of the others mentioned buying this bike which is: he has the money, he’s interested in both the historical time period and bikes, in general. I don’t see the issue.
      Sadly, if others had bought it, I believe lots of posters would be singing a different tune.

    • Melanie says:

      I have to agree here. Sure its his money, but what if some other celeb bought a Nazi bike? They would be criticized for it. People here are different when it comes to Brad and his wife Angelina. Its okay to criticize any other celeb but why are these 2 off limits here? Its scary how people constantly praise these 2. Even if they do bad things. They aren’t gods.
      Personally, I don’t think its a good idea to own Nazi things. Just because Hitlers face isn’t on it or the Swastika, doesn’t mean its okay. I have a Jewish friends whose grandparents were in the Holocaust. I find this very distasteful as well.

      • KellyBee says:

        People criticize Pitt and his wife too so I’m not sure where you get these two are off limits? Show me one post that they are criticized in.

        Look at this post you and others are automatically criticizing and believing that this story is true without any facts to back it up.

      • emma says:

        As I posted below:
        It’s hard once you start delving into the accusation of nazis used it, so we cannot, and any use of something like that would be an endorsement of nazis. Hugo Boss designed the nazi uniforms, Chase Bank helped fund the nazis, Ford produced many nazi trucks, IBM helped with the data tracking system of the Jewish people in the Holocaust, and of course Volkswagen, and the Autobahn (which was the inspiration for the american highway system).

        It’d be one thing if he’s driving around in a full-blown nazi uniform and heil-hitlering all over the place. But wanting a fun sidecar motorbike is a benign issue.

    • Lana says:

      I believe it would be the exact opposite. Any other celebs, they’d be given a pass. But because it is Brad Pitt, he is going to be nitpicked and attacked for it.

  15. Mar says:

    I would think it is helping the Greek economy or at least a Greek collector, so I’m ok with it. He’s not donating to the Hitler regime or anything like that. He’s very generous so i can’t say anything about him.

    • Melanie says:

      Lots of celebs are generous. He and his wife aren’t the only ones. I still don’t think its okay to buy Nazi owned things but whatever.

      • kay says:

        assuming, then, that you don’t buy anything that relates to the first nations genocides?

      • teacakes says:

        ok, then I’m sure your position is consistent and you also would disapprove of people owning any colonial-era artefacts used by the British in the nations that made up the Empire? Or in apartheid South Africa?

        No pre-1962 military memorabilia, no medals, no jewellery (likely made with diamonds or gold mined in exploited India or Africa)…nothing.

      • Donna says:

        I don’t know why anyone would want to own anything from that era. It’s terrible, just give your money to the 2.5 million homeless American children instead of collecting haunted garbage!

  16. Catelina says:

    The Daily Mail knows nothing about Brad. None of the tabloids do unless they give them official statements/pictures. Their friends don’t talk about them to the press, this has been proven over and over again. Theres no reason to believe this story, even if it were some big deal, which it wasn’t. So many companies everyone uses daily had nazi association during world war 2. And I say this as a Jewish person who has taken multiple semesters of holocaust studies.

  17. sophie says:

    Makes me think of the time he was photographed falling over on his bike.

  18. lower-case deb says:

    btw, just saw on facebook feed that Angelina Jolie is in a meeting with Cambodia PM Hun Sen. she looks so dressed down, unlike all the business-chic she would wear to other meetings.

  19. Dvaria says:

    eh don’t care as long as its not etched with swastikas… My dad is a tank enthusiast and now that he’s figured out Youtube on the TV, my poor mom has to suffer through these tank videos all the time but it makes him happy. He has vintage posters and miniatures of different tanks from WW2 (including American, German and Russian tanks) in his hobby room….it doesn’t make him a Nazi supporter. He just likes tanks. Brad Pitt probably just liked this motorcycle after working on Fury and learning about them.

  20. SafetyJan says:

    If I had the money, I’d buy weird shit too.

  21. Citygirl says:

    I don’t post very often, but I do love it when people get on their high horse and get all butt hurt about these BS storys when 90% of these types of stories writen about celebities are made up.

    It funny that once these stories are outed as fake the people complaoning the loudest/ “haters” have nothing to say.

  22. emma says:

    That can be a bit dicey, but I’m sure he avoided the swastika laden ones even if he could afford them.

    The nazi era did have some interesting style for the motorbikes and the uniforms. It’s hard once you start delving into the accusation of nazis used it so we cannot, and any use of something like that would be an endorsement of nazis. Hugo Boss designed the nazi uniforms, Chase Bank helped fund the nazis, Ford produced many nazi trucks, IBM helped with the data tracking system of the Jewish people in the Holocaust, and of course Volkswagen, and the Autobahn (which was the inspiration for the american highway system).

    It’d be one thing if he’s driving around in a full-blown nazi uniform and heil-hitlering all over the place. But wanting a fun sidecar motorbike is a benign issue.

  23. lavender blue says:

    It”s not a benign issue at all, it”s a highly sensitive subject and still fairly recent history. Not enough time has passed yet and there needs to be few generations more separating us from the horrors of the genocide of world war 2, it is still illegal to buy nazi memorabilia in some parts of europe, and it makes sense the bike he owns would not be displaying the swastika as that symbol is also illegal in some countries..to display the symbol would brand him as a nazi sympathizer which obviously he is not.

  24. iheartgossip says:

    Good for Brad. History, ugly or not; is history. No shade from me.

  25. Paige says:

    The man loves his bikes but I don’t believe this story. I’ve read too many stories from tabloids about Brad and Angelina buying presents that were completely false

  26. korra says:

    Ugh, no. It’s gross.

  27. Betti says:

    I don’t really see the problem – its not as if he’s a Nazi sympathiser or Holocaust denier. If he was then there would be a problem. From what little i know of engineering and WW2 hardware, German bikes were prized as they were fast, reliable and easy to maintain. In fact during the war the US gov had Harley Davidson copy a BMW design for the American troops.

    He’s a petrolhead and collector of WW2 memorabilia – there are many collectors out there, just not all with his disposable income. Instead of keeping it in a garage maybe he should allow it to be displayed in museums and used to educate people.

  28. anon33 says:

    Yup. I knew people in here would be bending over backwards to support Brad.

  29. Emily C. says:

    Wait, was it a Nazi/SS motorbike or a German army one? There is actually a difference.

  30. Dez says:

    It’s funny all the fuss, BMW, Benz and rockets and the nuclear bombs America owns were own, or created by nazi sympathizers or party members. Did you know the American government looked the other way and brought a lot of nazis to the U.S. To help with weapons of mass destructions and rocket technology. Is a motorcycle people. It’s like saying the hells angels drive Harley’s so law abiding citizens shouldn’t drive Harley’s. People buy paintings and hart work made by and owned by nazis. And the nazi motorcycle helmet is very popular with the Harley crowed. As a motorcycle rider I would love to own that bike. It’s probably made by BMW anyway.

  31. Sara says:

    I must admit, until Inglorious Bastards and Fury Brad Pitt was just a pretty boy actor to me. He really proved himself in those 2 movies imo.