October 2020 - Volume 4 - Issue 10 October 2020 | Page 138

On The Pegs 138

On The Pegs 138

HUSQVARNA ’ S FIRST WORLD CHAMP

By Kenneth Olausson

GOOD OLD TIMES BLOG Photos : Husqvarna

Apple-cheeked Bill Nilsson was nicknamed ‘ Buffalo Bill ’ because he showed no mercy to his competitors . The fiery Swede was a tough Viking – never afraid of a challenge . Bill rode with the precision of a surgeon , but his main assets were his short temper and his stubbornness to never give up . That ’ s why Bill Nilsson was so efficient , so successful and ever since he straddled a factory Husqvarna was a stellar Grand Prix performer on the track ...
It was in the beginning of the 50s that Bill Nilsson started riding motocross . He was already a good stuntman – great at wheelies , which require a good sense of balance . Ten years later , ‘ Buffalo Bill ’ was hired by Husqvarna to ride for them during the 1960 world championship season . Everyone in the town of Huskvarna was convinced that their new factory rider would be the one to count on . True , there was no guarantee , but everything pointed in the right direction .