Celebration of the Motorcycle, the Del Mar Concours

  

The ladies really dug the Ducati,

 

but the concours judges chose the Brough Superior, voting it Best in Show 2012

 

100  Point perfect restorations were present for those who wanted airbrushed nostalgia,

 

Un-restored machines, like this California built V-Twin Crocker are a delight to find next to high dollar restorations. Time stops for no one, and preservation type machines are getting their due and increased appreciation on the showfield these days.

 

Wild, Art-Deco paint schemes with questionable aerodynamics

 

contrasted with imaginative pre-World War I designs. 

 

Magni- modified MV Agusta's are all the rage today, with chain drive conversions and uprated parts,  but bone-stock shaft-driven 750cc Sport's like this are where the smart money is.

 

151 mph in 1948 was enough for a world speed record for Bonneville Salt Flat ace, Rollie Free, who piloted this Vincent clad only in his shorts.

 

This 1964 Triumph was a class winner amongst a sea of British steel.

 

Gene Romero raced this Don Vesco / Busch Beer sponsored TZ 750 that was still in original trim, while the Team Yamaha  TR2 had a class winning restoration that was beyond reproach.

 

Pre-war Vincent standing under the hot California sun at Del Mar.

 

The class-winning Velocette Clubman epitomized the classic British sporting single. 

 

 

The 1948 Vincent as ridden by Marty Dickerson to 151 mph in 1955

 

 

 

A well-done AJS V-4 replica closes out this selection of the motorcycles on display at Del Mar this year. The Celebration of the Motorcycle lives on.

 

Vincent Legend: Marty Dickerson

 

Marty Dickerson on his famous 1948 Vincent Series B Rapide Land Speed Record breaking motorcycle on October 29, 2012 in Carlsbad, California. In 1953 he set a Class C record, riding this  Vincent to an average speed of 147 mph and a one way speed that eclipsed 150 mph. This record stood for 20 long years, until a Kawasaki topped it in 1973.

 

Two umbrella girls seemed appropriate for this twin.

 

This is the machine that Marty engineered and raced to records in 1951, 1953 and 1955 on the Bonneville Salts Flats. Marty owned a NSU and Vincent dealership in Hawthorne, California from 1950-1957. Back at the factory his high-speed success brought him to the attention of Philip Vincent who sent him the go-fast goodies which Marty then used to establish the records. During that period, Marty was friends with competitors Rollie Free and "The World's Fastest Indian"rider, Burt  Munro. Dickerson's been a fixture on the Salt Flats and the So. Cal speed scene ever since.

 

The post Del Mar Concours party was low-key, but chock full of Vincents parked in the garage, in the driveway, in the house, in the back of trucks and on the street. Pre-war and post racers and tourers, Vincents of every stripe, were gathered for the Celebration of the Motorcycle.

 

 

Perhaps the most iconic Salt Flat racing motorcycle is the ex- John Edgar Vincent HRD - Black Lightning as was ridden by Rollie Free who set a new world record of 150.313 mph.   A few years later, Marty would ride a supercharged Vincent Black Lightning to a new record in 1955 of 177 mph.

 

Mobil oil can, no seat, pure speed.

 

Original paint, wearing its years well. Fuel, sun and heat have left their marks.

The Celebration of the Motorcycle at Del Mar, California on October 28, 2012 had many great motorcycles on display. Vincent was the featured marque, but Crockers, Nortons, Brough Superiors all were present, too.

 

A highly sought-after pre-war example.

 

There were two Vincents that had mileage around the 500,000 mile mark. What other blue chip classic British motorcycle could you do that with?

 

Marty Dickerson, 2002 Inductee of the AMA Hall of Fame, still modest and thoughtful, was cajoled into talking to us for hours.  Marty shared stories of his past as a Vincent dealer, as an outlaw drag racer, west coast road racer, and instructor of students.

 

Quick-witted and only mildly aware of his legend status to Vincent fans wolrdwide, he still has the 'need for speed', running over 151  mph as recently as 2007 in Bonneville on a borrowed Vincent. Marty - may you always have the wind at your back and a clear course ahead. You, sir, are an inspiration.