The period press took their photographs at the IoM TT races which, along with additional material sourced from recognised professional freelancers, were published in the Blue ‘Un, Green ‘Un, monthlies and interested local newspapers. Many are similar and were often taken from the same favoured vantage points.
This chance acquisition of an unknown enthusiast’s collection of pictures, both captured by this unknown TT fan and bought from course professionals, allows us to look over his/her shoulder. The collection covers the period 1952-57 and here we publish images from the 1953 TT practice and race weeks.
1 The long shadows suggest Alfredo Milani (70) is about to start an evening practice session with his factory 500cc, four-cylinder Gilera. Nearby, Les Graham (350cc MV Agusta four) and Reg Armstrong (500cc Gilera four) appear more interested in something happening just behind Alfredo than setting off for their next practice session.
Later, after a slow first lap on Senior race day, Milani moved up the leaderboard, chasing teammate Geoff Duke until Quarter Bridge on the fourth lap, when Duke spilled on molten tar. On lap five, Alfredo moved ahead of The Motor Cycle staffman Vic Willoughby (500cc Norton) to occupy seventh spot as he powered past the grandstand for what was to be the final time in his only IoM outing. As well as Milani’s retirement on the sixth lap, Willoughby’s Norton broke a suspension leg, spilling him without injury on Creg Willys Hill.
Denne historien er fra November 2020-utgaven av The Classic MotorCycle.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra November 2020-utgaven av The Classic MotorCycle.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Runs should be fun
The club run is an integral part of the old motorcycle scene. During 2020, a variation on the usual theme emerged, enabling people to ride in the company of like-minded souls.
Hybrid chicken
BSA Bantams come in many forms, and the ability to interchange parts between different models permits an almost endless number of variants.
Green WITH ENVY
Life aboard a 1950s 350cc British single is perhaps as good and as uncomplicated as it can get.
Worth the wait
Captivated by sight of one as a small boy, finally our man has the chance to try an NSU Max.And a ‘Spezial’ one at that…
The Motorcycle: DESIGN, ART AND DESIRE
The concluding part of a two-part feature, in which the history of motorcycle evolution is examined and a new book’s author interviewed.
Cream rises
There were several ‘star performers’ at Bonhams’ winter sale, as the choice machines achieved huge sums.
The Giant of Provence
With so few events to report from, it’s time to look back over a spectacular French event and look forward to its hopeful resumption.
Store cupboard special
A big box of presents? Must be Christmas! More deliveries keep the project on track.
By 1929, CJP Dodson was a bona fide top level road racer, pretty much unbeatable on the sand, too.
The diminutive Charlie Dodson was the last man to win a TT, the 1928 Senior, on a ‘flat-tank’ machine, then the next year became the first (and only) winner of a TT on a saddle tank Sunbeam, as well as recording the last ever success in the Island for the Marston maker.
Cassandra the Canadian Commando
After landing a new job and with time on his hands, a young man in Vancouver decided to restore a British motorcycle considerably older than him.
