Looking forward to this. I love the old bikes and those old boys racing them - tough men. Id love to buy an old bike like the style featured in these vids.
Thanks Brian, more to follow when I get time, currently working on our TT photo exhibition for the Laxey Woollen Mills, all TT and Manx Grand Prix weeks.
This is amazing. Just found it by chance. A couple of years ago I was at the Sammy Miller museum and got talking to a chap who turned out to be Cecil Sandford. Sammy M joined us for a photo. Vic Willoughby (8.09) was an inspiration to me and I went on to be a Chartered Engineer as he was.
at 4:09 "best Brit Bike" was my dad. Now, sadly passed. The bike is in my garage, along with the 1948 Senior TT winning Norton, as ridden by Artie Bell, and my grandfather Harry Hinton, also to be restored. Thanks Bill.
My Father knew Duke during WW2 and we had to listen to the TT Races every year on the radio!! I was born 1952 and I can remember this happening into the 1960s. I have apparently loads of motorbike info in my head that I never knew about!! My Father had bikes and there are some very attractive photos of him when he was single. When they had me he had to go down to a BSA with sidecar. However, I grew up with a Father who regularly drove at 100mph so I am used to speed and big engines. Great that people, and you, with the memories and info go to the effort of recording them for others. My Father who died in 1983 had a weird war and was based at The Admiralty SW1 and was involved in motorbike, car and small boat Research and Development and some other stuff that one isn’t allowed to talk about!
Those B+W photos are so atmospheric.Love the history of the TT.Ifirst went over in 1964 to see the 50cc and the Senior on a day excursion.The fare was10/6d return half fare.That's 55p .
Great photos and commentary on a great TT; made me go the the shed and polish the tank of my Gilera 6 Day Special which I've owned from new since 1964. I hope Bill you have more online.
Hi Bill, thank you for this wonderful video. I am here because my grandfather, Jim Kay, raced in this TT and came 27th on a silver Gilera replica, number 38. I am not sure in what class, he would have been 29 at the time and was very tall so I can't imagine he would have been a lightweight..Sadly he passed away a few days ago and I am now doing my best to find as much as I can about his motorbike racing during the 50's and early 60's. He also raced sidecars, but it's not as easy to find information about them! He used to tell me all kinds of crazy stories! Happy to share them if you are interested. I'd also be happy to hear any other information you may have. Once again, thank you very much, Anna Barnfield.
Hi Ann. Thanks for your message. Can't find a Barnfield in the TT results, what was his name? Within FoTTofinder Bikesport Photo Archives, I have around a quarter million images of Island racing, so I should have some of your Dad;s rides! Let me know and I will search for you. Best wishes, Bill
@@billsnelling3285Hi Bill, his name was Jim Kay, he may have registered as James Kay. He was my grandfather. That would be wonderful if you could! He told me that when the Japanese bikes started entering their bikes into the TT it became really dangerous on one of the famous hill climbs (I can't remember which hill) because they would fall apart, their steel wasn't strong enough to withstand the course and he'd have to dodge the parts on the road. He would only ride English and Italian bikes.
Bill; ... thanks so much for taking the time and effort to produce such an informative program. The photos are wonderful! Seeing the old dustbin fairings is a real treat! Was 1957 the last year that they were legal? They make the bikes look like something out of sci-fi movies.
Hi Chuck. Yes, they banned the dustbin fairings after '57, some of those home-produced were quite dangerous in high winds, Guzzi had a wind tunnel at their works in Mandello.
Tarquino Provini, if you ever made plastic models (Airfix, Revell and that) you'd know Protar? Geddit? What he did after racing. Also I believe he kept a wolf in his garden.
Mr Snelling; the photograph at 14.15 in your video, of the VMCC Rally before the Senior; that's my father on his Triumph Ricardo, front and centre; my mother and I have never seen photographs of him at this event, is it at all possible that we can obtain a proper copy of this photograph ???
Bob Mac started at 78 as riders drew lots to decide their starting orders and this meant he had to pass a lot of slower riders. With race speeds rising the sensible decision was made to have the fastest riders start at the front of the field.
Twin cylinder DOT, That's amazing. And 250 Norton......And the Great Sammy Miller. I once bought a bike from Sandifords, I suppose that was Cecils shop...I don't know.
It was Jim Sandiford, you are quite right. It was a 350 Cota, partly disassembled in a cardboard box.( He was selling a bunch of new 200 and 350s cheap about 30 years ago)!
I was still inside my mothers belly when this 57 meeting was underway, But I have been attracted to this T T ever since I first saw a race back in 1967. Yes I was ten, But now, I'm 63, But I wish i could pop back to 67 just one more time,
HI Rob, I was 13 (1960) when I first came to the TT. Came every year after I got my licence, then didn't get the boat home in 1975, saved the boat fareI I have chronicled my motorcycling career in my autobiography Memories, Mates and Motorcycles, I have copies for sale!
@@billsnelling3285 I'm still finding my internet feet, so I don't do all the stuff you guys do, But don't panic, I will be getting a copy when I get back to my local waterstones, bookshop, But thanks anyway Bill , its much appreciated.
translated: The greatest driver of all time, it is a pity that he arrived at Gilera in 1957, the last year of the Arcore house. Yes, I would heartily agree with you there, Giancarlo.
It surely shows how backward the Brits were with their two-stroke technology then: open straight exhaust pipes on the DOT! Compare that to the German Adler!
Hi Joep. The British certainly had the upper hand in four-stroke design, but I am sure everybody agrees that Germany led the way in two-stroke development, not only with Walter Kaaden but other fine engineers, The early Itom machines had that enormous open mega too!
@@billsnelling3285 Well Bill, even in four stroke design they no longer had the upper hand, that ended around 1952, when a 350 cc Norton (which, by the way, thanked its power to polish born engineer Leo Kusmicki, not to the grossly over-rated Joe Graig) became for the last time world champion under Geoff Duke, thereafter it were the Gileras, MVs and Guzzis who reigned, in the sixties followed by the Japanese. Sad, but true. Those Itoms were not the only ones with such an unsuitable exhaust - even the famous Benelli factory produced a 50 cc with the same type megaphone exhaust! They surely still had a lot to learn. Cheers!
Brilliant remembering the Riders and their mounts...Incredible interest and affection for the two wheeled Motorbike in it's entiritey
Brilliant! So many unseen images but especially Ubialli and Tarquini using the pavement at Parkfield!
Hi I was there at Ballaugh Bridge in 57, to see Bob Mac do the 1st 100mph lap ,what a race.
I wasn't born. Sadly
Thank you Bill for bringing the race to life, excellent
Looking forward to this. I love the old bikes and those old boys racing them - tough men. Id love to buy an old bike like the style featured in these vids.
I love that you know all the historical data. Also how you speak clearly and show your true love for the TT races. You just made my year👍🏻
Thank you, more to follow!
Great history lesson. The pictures are priceless!
Thank you Bill, for a really enjoyable, and highly informative, blast down memory lane.
Thanks Brian, more to follow when I get time, currently working on our TT photo exhibition for the Laxey Woollen Mills, all TT and Manx Grand Prix weeks.
excellent video!! Thanks Bill,
Love all the information from a true TT enthusiast , we need more of the earlier years, thoroughly enjoyed that.
Fabulous! Loved every minute, thank you.
Another great video from you Guys THANK YOU brings back my childhood .
Another great video from you Bill you are so precise i just love listening to your recording Thank you Sir.
Only one word - Great.Many thanks.
Love it, I was there as a 14 year old.
I'd say the smells and noises were amazing
. . . good stuff Bill, a detailed and articulate blast from the past !
this was brilliant as i listened to the race on my crystal set
Thanks Bill
Some thing's never change the tt and it's history . some of the photos the back drops are almost exactly the same as today. Top job.
Superb stuff. many thanks Bill.
This is amazing. Just found it by chance. A couple of years ago I was at the Sammy Miller museum and got talking to a chap who turned out to be Cecil Sandford. Sammy M joined us for a photo. Vic Willoughby (8.09) was an inspiration to me and I went on to be a Chartered Engineer as he was.
at 4:09 "best Brit Bike" was my dad. Now, sadly passed. The bike is in my garage, along with the 1948 Senior TT winning Norton, as ridden by Artie Bell, and my grandfather Harry Hinton, also to be restored. Thanks Bill.
Hi Peter. was your Dad Harry Hinton jr? I have other pics of him on www.TTracepics.com
Great, brought back some good old names there.
Great Bill ,thanks so much.
Great to see so many "new" images, thanks Bill, top stuff!!!
Thanks! Great stuff!
great stuff , crazy speeds even back then.
Not a movie, however still very enjoyable. Thanks for this.
My Father knew Duke during WW2 and we had to listen to the TT Races every year on the radio!! I was born 1952 and I can remember this happening into the 1960s. I have apparently loads of motorbike info in my head that I never knew about!! My Father had bikes and there are some very attractive photos of him when he was single. When they had me he had to go down to a BSA with sidecar. However, I grew up with a Father who regularly drove at 100mph so I am used to speed and big engines. Great that people, and you, with the memories and info go to the effort of recording them for others. My Father who died in 1983 had a weird war and was based at The Admiralty SW1 and was involved in motorbike, car and small boat Research and Development and some other stuff that one isn’t allowed to talk about!
Greetings. Many of us of a certain age have these memories, it was lack of film that made em start the TTrevisited series, more to follow!
Just a great watch. Subscribed for more.
Proper bikes. Proper sounds. Proper riders. I was two-years old. TFP
My first TT was in 1960, aged 13, so I also missed the golden years of the 50s, with their British, Italian, German battles!
Bob Mac, probably my favourite rider, he used to push the bikes either to win or destruction, I don't think he knew any other way.
The greatest racer never to win a world championship!
Thanks
Love this Bill. Look forward to more!
Those B+W photos are so atmospheric.Love the history of the TT.Ifirst went over in 1964 to see the 50cc and the Senior on a day excursion.The fare was10/6d return half fare.That's 55p .
it`s 52.5p actually.
My mistake!The fare was actually 11shillings if I remember correctly.
Great photos and commentary on a great TT; made me go the the shed and polish the tank of my Gilera 6 Day Special which I've owned from new since 1964. I hope Bill you have more online.
Thanks very much. We currently have 1947, 57, 67, 77 on line here, more to follow!
Lovely Gilly four sound.
Hi Bill, thank you for this wonderful video. I am here because my grandfather, Jim Kay, raced in this TT and came 27th on a silver Gilera replica, number 38. I am not sure in what class, he would have been 29 at the time and was very tall so I can't imagine he would have been a lightweight..Sadly he passed away a few days ago and I am now doing my best to find as much as I can about his motorbike racing during the 50's and early 60's.
He also raced sidecars, but it's not as easy to find information about them!
He used to tell me all kinds of crazy stories! Happy to share them if you are interested. I'd also be happy to hear any other information you may have.
Once again, thank you very much, Anna Barnfield.
Hi Ann. Thanks for your message. Can't find a Barnfield in the TT results, what was his name? Within FoTTofinder Bikesport Photo Archives, I have around a quarter million images of Island racing, so I should have some of your Dad;s rides! Let me know and I will search for you. Best wishes, Bill
@@billsnelling3285Hi Bill, his name was Jim Kay, he may have registered as James Kay. He was my grandfather.
That would be wonderful if you could!
He told me that when the Japanese bikes started entering their bikes into the TT it became really dangerous on one of the famous hill climbs (I can't remember which hill) because they would fall apart, their steel wasn't strong enough to withstand the course and he'd have to dodge the parts on the road.
He would only ride English and Italian bikes.
@@annabarnfield9068 Hi Ann. My email is amulree022@gmail.com I need some further info please. Best wishes, Bill
amazing!!!
Ha, my dad Dennis Christian.
Nice cool bikes
At around 15.45 that was the Moto Guzzi V8.
Thank you.
Yes, a magnificent machine.
Maybe should have mentioned that Bob Mac set the first ever 100 mph lap
Bill; ... thanks so much for taking the time and effort to produce such an informative program. The photos are wonderful! Seeing the old dustbin fairings is a real treat! Was 1957 the last year that they were legal? They make the bikes look like something out of sci-fi movies.
Hi Chuck. Yes, they banned the dustbin fairings after '57, some of those home-produced were quite dangerous in high winds, Guzzi had a wind tunnel at their works in Mandello.
I was there in 1977......born in 57......spooky heh.
I was standing on Clearways when Florian died sad day
Tarquino Provini, if you ever made plastic models (Airfix, Revell and that) you'd know Protar? Geddit? What he did after racing. Also I believe he kept a wolf in his garden.
swaped a pair of shears for a bsa c 12 pre unit those were the days
Mr Snelling; the photograph at 14.15 in your video, of the VMCC Rally before the Senior; that's my father on his Triumph Ricardo, front and centre; my mother and I have never seen photographs of him at this event, is it at all possible that we can obtain a proper copy of this photograph ???
Hi Mark. Yes, no problem, let me have your email address, I will sort it out. My email is amulree022@gmail.com
Proper motorbike racing!
Bob Mac started at 78 as riders drew lots to decide their starting orders and this meant he had to pass a lot of slower riders. With race speeds rising the sensible decision was made to have the fastest riders start at the front of the field.
Yes, I think they started grading the riders in the 60s.
Era un fenomeno era 50 anni avani
Twin cylinder DOT, That's amazing. And 250 Norton......And the Great Sammy Miller. I once bought a bike from Sandifords, I suppose that was Cecils shop...I don't know.
Thanks for your message. The Sandifords may have been Jim Sandifords shop; Jim was a trials ace.
It was Jim Sandiford, you are quite right. It was a 350 Cota, partly disassembled in a cardboard box.( He was selling a bunch of new 200 and 350s cheap about 30 years ago)!
57dogsbody jn
The DOT twin was powered by a modified Villiers 2T 2 stoke twin, basically a road going engine.
DC Killip on the tax disc, do you think he was related to travelling Marshall 'Kipper Killip" who dropped the CBX at Quarterbridge?
Greetings. I am not sure, as far as I know Kipper was the only biker in his family
I was still inside my mothers belly when this 57 meeting was underway, But I have been attracted to this T T ever since I first saw a race back in 1967. Yes I was ten, But now, I'm 63, But I wish i could pop back to 67 just one more time,
HI Rob, I was 13 (1960) when I first came to the TT. Came every year after I got my licence, then didn't get the boat home in 1975, saved the boat fareI I have chronicled my motorcycling career in my autobiography Memories, Mates and Motorcycles, I have copies for sale!
@@billsnelling3285 Thanks for the plug, lol, I will definitely pick up a copy of your book, thanks.
amulree022@gmail.com Book going into reprint, I have the remaining stock of the first edition!
@@billsnelling3285 I'm still finding my internet feet, so I don't do all the stuff you guys do, But don't panic, I will be getting a copy when I get back to my local waterstones, bookshop, But thanks anyway Bill , its much appreciated.
I had a lambertta ld paid £5 for it 3.40
Parkfield ..no idea where that is?
That is the corner at the top of St Ninian's Crossroads, where the Clypse Course turns right instead of going down Bray Hill
@@billsnelling3285 Thanks Bill.
Il + grande pilota di tutti i tempi peccato che è arrivato alla Gilera nel 1957 ultimo anno della casa di Arcore .
translated: The greatest driver of all time, it is a pity that he arrived at Gilera in 1957, the last year of the Arcore house.
Yes, I would heartily agree with you there, Giancarlo.
paid £5 bsa c11 the preunit t110 cost me a fortune £ 60
sorry 3.18
It surely shows how backward the Brits were with their two-stroke technology then: open straight exhaust pipes on the DOT! Compare that to the German Adler!
Hi Joep. The British certainly had the upper hand in four-stroke design, but I am sure everybody agrees that Germany led the way in two-stroke development, not only with Walter Kaaden but other fine engineers, The early Itom machines had that enormous open mega too!
@@billsnelling3285 Well Bill, even in four stroke design they no longer had the upper hand, that ended around 1952, when a 350 cc Norton (which, by the way, thanked its power to polish born engineer Leo Kusmicki, not to the grossly over-rated Joe Graig) became for the last time world champion under Geoff Duke, thereafter it were the Gileras, MVs and Guzzis who reigned, in the sixties followed by the Japanese. Sad, but true. Those Itoms were not the only ones with such an unsuitable exhaust - even the famous Benelli factory produced a 50 cc with the same type megaphone exhaust! They surely still had a lot to learn. Cheers!