Britten V1000 1992 - motorcycle racing photo photograph

Description

A superb and rare image of the amazing
Britten V1000
of
1992
.
John Britten
was an amazingly gifted
New Zealand
mechanical engineer who designed a world-record-setting motorcycle with innovative features which are still ahead of contemporary design. John Britten was born to Bruce and Ruvae Britten at
Christchurch
at 10 minutes to
midnight
and his sister Marguerite just after
midnight
, so although they were twins they celebrated their birthdays on different dates. Even in birth he showed he was destined to be "different". A dyslexic, he needed to have exam questions read to him at school and during his tertiary education, and his answers recorded by a writer, but that didn't stop him from developing into a remarkable engineer and architectural designer. His childhood heroes were notable fellow New Zealanders, Richard Pearse (pioneer aviator), Bill Hamilton (father of the jet boat), Bruce McLaren (champion driver and founder of the McLaren Formula One Team), and Burt Munro (world record motorcycle speedster and subject of the film The World's Fastest Indian). In his own short lifetime, Britten was regularly and favourably compared with all of his heroes. Britten completed a four-year mechanical engineering course at night school before joining
ICI
as a cadet draughtsman, giving him a wide range of work experience including mould design, pattern design, metal spinning and various mechanical engineering designs. John travelled to
England
where he worked for four months with Sir Alexander Gibb & Partners on a highway design linking the M1 to the M4. Back in
New Zealand
he was design engineer for Rowe Engineering, designing off-road equipment and heavy machinery. In 1976, he built glass kilns and went into business as a fine artist designing and making hand-made glass lighting, later joining the family property management and development business. John worked on motorcycle design for some years, developing innovative methods using composite materials and performance engine designs. He created the
Britten Motorcycle Company
in 1992 to produce revolutionary machines to his own design made of light materials and using engines he built himself, which became famous around the world. His Britten motorcycles won races and set numerous speed records on the international circuits and astounded the motorcycle world in 1991 when they came a remarkable second and third against the factory machines in the Battle of the Twins at Daytona, United States Of America. One of Britten's radical motorcycles is on permanent display at the
Museum
of
New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
, in
Wellington
,
New Zealand
. The motorcycle world mourned in 1995 when John died aged 45 after a brief illness related to skin cancer. The Britten V1000 and Britten V1100 are rare machines with only 10 plus 1 prototype having been constructed. Highlights include the carbon fibre body work including rims and front suspension fork, hand cast engine with 4 valves per cylinder, frame-less chassis with engine acting as a stressed member, radiator located under the riders seat, carbon fibre fasteners (joining body work together), rear suspension shock located in front of engine, engine data logging (very early technology!).
This is your rare chance to own this
non period
photo that reflects a very interesting and historic piece of motorcycle history. Therefore, it is printed in a nice large format of ca. 8" x 12" (ca. 20 x 30 cm).
Check out our auctions for more motorcycle (racing) photos!
Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you buy.   For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!
(Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear on photo, for ebay purposes only)
No copyright expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well protected in PVC clear files
and board backed envelopes.
We have photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and excellent quality.
After many decades of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace, restaurant, bar or club!
First come - first served. And you can always contact us for your requests. Please ask any questions before the auction ends.