August 2017 UPDATE

July is the month for the Brooklands Motorcycle Show and this was the first event since the reopening of the Start/Finish Straight.

Anticipation builds for the start of the Test Hill Runs

The WW2 Bellman hanger, now a Grade 2 listed building, and the last of 10 temporary hangers built on the site, has now been restored and relocated to the side of its original position, revealing the original 1907-1939 track beneath. The contractors removed the hanger floor and found the track was still intact if a little lumpy in places.

There was as usual an array of bikes from all eras ascending Test Hill, whilst builders and manufacturers displayed bikes in the paddock area.

During the lunchbreak attention switched to the clubhouse paddock where the Grandsons of Bert Le Vack, Nigel Spring and Bert Denly were acquainted with their Grandfathers’ motorcycles.

Museum volunteers Roger Bird and Perry Barwick were instrumental in bringing the Grandsons together. Roger has researched the Norton racing heritage of the Spring and Denly families for many years, whilst Perry had a chance interaction via Instagram which led to Dale being united with the Brough Works Scrapper on which Herbert “Bert” Le Vack set a record of 129.06 for the flying Kilometre in 1929 at Arpajon in France. Perry said “For Roger and I it was a once in a lifetime event, seeing the grandsons together on the bikes in the paddock where their grandfathers raced some 90 years ago”

Paul Denly (left) Dale Le Vack, (centre) Johnathan Spring (Seated) and Tim Spring (in sidecar) soaked up the atmosphere as they were interviewed about memories of their famous Grandfathers whilst sitting astride the from the Brooklands Museum Collection made famous by their grandfathers.

Paul Denly interviewed aboard the Spring Norton MT3501 one of the 1927 Spring Norton Team Motorcycles.

Bert Denly with Norton MT3501 at a Brooklands Society Reunion in June 87 (c)Roger Bird

The Motorcycle Show event provides a unique opportunity for visitors to see the continuing marques of Triumphs, AJS’s, Francis Barnett’s and BMW’s against the bikes that made those brands famous back in the 20s and 30s.

Steve Hayes (R) with a Hollis Motorcycle & New Owner

Also at the show was a growing band of new builders such as Steve Hayes of Hollis Motorcycles. As we walked onto the banked circuit, Steve told me about the Hollis project explaining he prefers the term “new vintage” to refer to their bikes which use state of the art engineering to produce a modern bike inspired by a Norton Model 18. Look out for news more news about Hollis later in the year and if you can’t wait that long check out the Hollis Website here.

The Hollis on the Brooklands Banking

Return to Fenland Classic Motorcycles Home

Old Timer

JUNE Update

Stafford Show

It seems a long time ago that I ventured up to Stafford on 24 April and witnessed the world record breaking sale of the 1932 800cc Brough Superior BS4 which is one of only 10 examples manufactured. 

At first sight it is a curious machine, and one that appears to be more at home in the custom sheds of today rather than a serious design intended to bridge the gap between motorcycles and cars in the early 1930’s. 

The machine is powered by an Austin Seven car engine and therefore appeals not only to the high end Brough collector, but also those historic Austin collectors. One thing is sure the £331,900 sale price will need to be matched by a hefty restoration bill before it comes anywhere near the excellent example housed in the National Motorcycle Museum.

The BS4 with the other Broughs discovered in a Barn near Bodmin

This, the first of the lots billed as the Broughs of Bodmin was first up at the Stafford auction, and we have the bidding in full in the film below. Excuse the camera shake, but the atmosphere was electric. Hear the gasps in the room as a fresh bidder, and eventual buyer, came in at £270,000 meaning that the bidder who came all the way form Australia was squeezed out. 

The other bikes in the collection; which at any other time would have been hugely significant in themselves all sold for prices well over their original estimate. Whilst it seems that every Auction House currently needs a Brough on its front page, the word on the street is this just can’t go on. Bonhams Motorcycle lead Ben Walker agrees. He said “I don’t think another cache of bikes like this will turn up again. The collection had been squirreled away......for between 40 and 50 years” 

I was on business, so missed the other lots as we were transporting the 1929 490cc Ex Pat Driscoll Model 18 Norton Norton, bought earlier in the day back to its Brooklands home. 

1929 Ex Pat Driscoll Norton 490cc Model 18

It was a huge privilege to drive it back through the Brooklands Gates and even more of an honour to be only the second person to ride the bike on this hallowed ground since it left in period.

The Norton back at Brooklands

Brooklands Sunbeam

The Brooklands Museum Sunbeam Tourer, like most other museum bikes is fully running and gets used for demonstrations on a regular basis during School holidays. It does not tend to get used during events, as these are normally tailored towards the competition bikes. This together with the fact that the demonstration area will be out of commission during building works led the Volunteers to consider more outreach events. The Sunbeam is therefore being prepared to take part in more events during 2016. 

Earlier in the year the tyres were renewed, and the front brakes relined. During the past month we have also been servicing the clutch and gear-change linkage. New woodruff keys have been fabricated, the clutch plates cleaned and a couple of damaged corks are being replaced. It should be ready for a test run in a couple of weeks.

Kempton Park Motorcycle Show

21 May was the date for the legendary Southern Classic Motorcycle Show and Jumble held at Kempton Park. Organiser, Eric Patterson was, as ever pulling the strings to ensure all was in place by the time the gates opened. On Friday evening Eric’s shed was well represented with at least three of his own bikes already in place including his new Brough Superior newly delivered by Brough Boss Mark Upham who was on hand on Saturday as the new bike got its inaugural engine run.


Meanwhile back on the Jumble Stall the rain held off until it was time to pack up. We look forward to the next Jumble which is being held on 25 July 2016. In the meantime if you have a Pre-war bike to sell or find that old parts are getting in the way of your latest project then contact us at info@fenlandclassics and we will give you a price.

Future Events

We are currently gearing up to provide support at the Banbury Run and will be riding at Chateau Impney Hill Climb on 9/10 July 2016.

George Cohen

As I finish writing this I hear the sad news that George Cohen has just past away after a short but brave fight against cancer. It is a  particularly poignant moment as I remember the pack for The Pat Driscoll Norton above, to which George had included a copy of his book and a special message to the new owner. A Bonham’s consultant, he was a passionate Norton Man to the end. Paul d'Olreans fellow writer and friend of George, has penned his memories of George on his “The Vintigent” site. 

George at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2014