Article: "OC Choppers gearing up for Christmas

By Alexa James
Times Herald-Record
ajames@th-record.com



Montgomery - Yes, Virginia, there is a Paul Teutul.

Just in time for the holidays - perhaps for the man who has everything - Orange County Choppers has introduced its signature fragrance line, 'Full Throttle.'"

It smells a lot like your high school boyfriend, less like the exhaust and meatball hero scents wafting around the OCC's Factory Street garage, which has become a tourist destination. The fragrance is available in national department stores, displayed alongside other celebrity scents by Jennifer Lopez, Ralph Lauren and Sarah Jessica Parker.

The Discovery Channel reality series "American Chopper" is hot, and everyone wants a piece of the mass market machinery. It's a show about leatherneck welder Paul Teutul Sr., 57, and his oil-and-water sons, Paul Jr., 31, and Mikey, 27. They build custom choppers for a discriminating clientele, as well as for world-class organizations like NASA, the Yankees and Hooters. The show's high ratings have spawned no less than 60 licensing agreements.

Sure, someday those ratings will falter. That's precisely why the rowdy family from the Village of Montgomery is working to establish OCC as a brand that can survive without a hit show. "It's better to evolve than it is to go backward," said Joseph Puliafico, head of licensing at OCC. "We're moving away from the entertainment and moving into the lifestyle brand."

Baby brother Mikey has created a run of "Mikey for President" merchandise. Shirts, buttons and bumper stickers are all packaged in autographed metal lunch boxes. He's running as an Independent. "My platform is the people need to know," he said. "And my opponent is full of beep.'"

The Teutuls admit that the idea of OCC hot sauce, baby clothes and slippers is surreal, but the public buys into it.

[Submitted by George from Bikes, Chopper and More]