Two giants in the world of wheels are celebrating their centenaries this year, and both aim to mark their heritage in style, with lavish commemorative events.

The Harley-Davidson motorcycling legend was born in 1903 in a ten feet by 15 feet wooden shed in Milwaukee, USA, with family friend William S Harley joining the three Davidson brothers, William D, Walter and Arthur, to kick-start the company.

In the space of a century, Harley-Davidson has had a rollercoaster ride, reaching global success, bankruptcy, success again, and becoming a famous icon of freedom, rebellion and individualism, thanks largely to the 1969 film Easy Rider.

The Harley-Davidson world Open Road travelling festival reaches Europe in June, with bikers gathering in Barcelona from the 27th to the 29th.

The festival moves to Hamburg in July, from the 25th to the 27th, before making the long ride home to Milwaukee for an enormous three-day celebration from August 28th-30th.

Details of the touring extravanganzas can be found on the company website, www.harley-davidson.com.

The biggest name of all in motoring, Ford, has major events planned in Britain to mark the company's centenary year.

On June 16, 1903, Henry Ford and 11 investors officially established the Ford Motor Company.

The workhorse Model T made the company's name, and the rest is history.

The ubiquitous outfit Ford-linked brands include Jaguar, Aston Martin, Volvo, Mazda, Land Rover, Lincoln and Mercury has a big party for employees and their families planned at the technical centre in Dunton, Essex, on the centenary weekend itself.

But the public can go along on Sunday, May 11, to Henry Ford Day at the Heritage Motor Centre in Gaydon, Warwickshire, where hundreds of Ford car clubs and individual Ford car owners are expected to congregate.

All drivers in Ford cars will receive free entry to the event.

Julie Tew, managing director of the Heritage Motor Centre says: "It will be quite a spectacle to see such a wide range of Ford cars, and we have lots to see and do for all the family.''

Attractions on the day include a special display of some of Ford's own heritage vehicles, charting the success of the Ford Motor Company from the turn of the 20h century to the present day.

Entry tickets include a visit to the museum. Ford car passengers get a £1 discount (reduced to adults £7, children £6); Family tickets are £25 (for 2 adults and 3 children). For enquiries, telephone 01926 641188 or visit websites www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk or www.ford.com