Art

Today in Motorcycle History

Classic Racing Motorcycles

Elmer McCabe with his 1953 G45 Matchless 500 pushrod twin fitted with works pannier tank. Top speed at Bathurst 136 mph.

Jack Ahearn, one of the top privateers in Europe in the 50s. Matchless works development rider, raced the 500 G50 Matchless prototype at the Isle of Man in 1958. Second to Hailwood in the 500 World Championship 1964 winning outright the GP of Finland on a Manx Norton.

Eric Debenham with his fearsome 1000 cc Norvin, the Vincent engine tuned to Black Lightning plus, with tremendous power from 2 to 7 grand, but easy to ride in the rain according to Eric. "Debbo" mixed it on even terms with things like OW31 GP Yamahas, and pulled 162 mph down Conrod straight at Bathurst.

Dennis Fry, winner of the 1975 "Ryans of Parramatta" Classic machine race, Amaroo Park, on his 1959 Norton Manx 500.

Richard Scott on Peter Addison's Yamaha TZ 250. He was Australian Road Racing champion in 250 class for 1981 on this bike.

1961 7R AJS 350 ex Mike Hailwood Ecurie Sportive. He told me "I hate that bike" - small wonder. He was leading the '61 Isle of Man 350 by a big margin when the engine quit with just 12 miles to go on the last lap. He had already won the 500 on Norton and the 125 and 250 on Hondas, he almost had the lot. Shown here as owned and raced by Alan Puckett in the 80s.

1938 Scott Flying Squirrel. One of 30 paintings for the '77 book Classic Motorbikes by Alan Puckett and Warren Penney. Penny got the Book Publishers Award for design. I scored an Award from the Australians Writers and Art Directors for my paintings.

Vaughan Coburn on the Team Puckett 250 TZ Yamaha with the infamous nudes I airbrushed on the fairing. Shown here on his way to win the NZ Lightweight TT (Randy Mamola 2nd), 26 Dec 1976.