Had it not been for a customer’s special order placed a decade ago, First Impressions Theme Theatres may never have designed the CineHarleeLounger, a motorcycle-themed, custom-built home theater chair. Originally designed to complement a motorcycle collector’s home theater, the chair began attracting attention once photos and stories about that collector’s home began to circulate. Today, the Miami-based company fulfills about a dozen orders for the CineHarleeLounger each year, but president and CEO Jeffrey Smith says the chair ends up everywhere from traditional home theaters to offices, game rooms, and man caves. "It’s a novelty chair," he says. "It’s a statement piece; it says something about a person—something that’s unique and unexpected. It fits with their love of cars and racing and sporting."

The full-motion recliner comes equipped with solid billet aluminum drink holders, LED taillights and headlights, a custom license plate, rearview mirrors, and a tailpipe. Incorporating aniline-dyed leather—the same quality used on motorcycle seats—in any conceivable color, the chair also is accented by Harley-Davidson-inspired side fuel tanks, which can be decorated with customizable artwork. "It’s a concept chair," says Smith. "Think about building a motorcycle; we want to follow that same idea."

Like all of the company’s Cine-Loungers, this chair is enhanced by in-seat, tactile transducers that are connected to a home theater’s audio system. Such a feature adds another layer to the entertainment experience, since the chairs will rumble and vibrate during scenes punctuated by resounding actions, such as explosions or boisterous crowd reactions. In instances where the chair is not a part of a home theater, that technology is still put to use, since it can be activated via a key switch and will rumble and cycle through the gears of a fast-moving motorcycle. "It starts up and rumbles … that’s the whole experience," Smith says. "[Customers] love showing that off and seeing the expressions on their friends’ faces."

Each chair requires about 10 weeks to build and starts at $10,000, though one that includes all of the optional packages peaks at $18,000. Of course, Smith and his team are finalizing technology that will satisfy customers that are seeking even the most over-the-top Harley-inspired chair. By utilizing the same mechanisms found in motorized wheelchairs, First Impressions is set to build a rideable CineHarleeLounger. "It will move; it will turn around," Smith says with a chuckle. "You can drive it out of the house if you want."

First Impressions Theme Theatres, www.cineloungers.com