Thursday, June 29, 2023

Edward Turner Hemi

 I was reading this Jalopnik article recently on the smallest displacement production V8's made. Of particular interest to me was the Daimler 2.5 liter hemi V8 that came in the Daimler SP250 (not to be confused with Daimler Benz).

I had never seen a Daimler SP250, that I recall, before seeing a single family owned one at a Pacific Raceways vintage racing event a few years ago. I recall just being smitten once I looked under the hood. What a perfectly beautiful little British engine.

The really interesting aspect was legendary Triumph motorcycles designer Edward Turner's involvement. From the Jaguar Heritage Trust Foundation:

Shortly after being appointed Managing Director (Chief Executive) of BSA’s Automotive Division in 1956, Edward Turner was asked to design a saloon car powered by a V8 engine.  Turner and his design engineer Jack Wickes began considering the initial concept of their new engine by examining the manual and spare parts list of a Cadillac V8 engine.  Using a pushrod overhead valve system kept down design, development and production costs and allowed Turner to base the design of the cylinder head on those he had developed for Triumph motorcycles – including the use of hemispherical combustion chambers.  Adapting the Triumph head design for use in a saloon car engine required much work in reducing friction and improving timing.

Much of the development of the prototype engine was carried out by Dr. J.N.H. Tait.  Tait had been involved with Donald Healey in the early post war years, working successfully on modified Riley 2½-litre Big Four engines, the final incarnation of which was used in 1953 Zethrin Rennsport prototype, delivering close to 200 bhp with surprising tractability.


Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Epidemic Motorcycle Corps - 1918

Members of the Epidemic Motorcycle Corps line up outside the AMP building in Cathedral Square, Christchurch, New Zealand  during the 1918 influenza pandemic.


 Epidemic Motorcycle Corps, 1918

Monday, June 26, 2023

Sunday, June 25, 2023

Evel - Moses Lake

Moses Lake, Wash., summer 1965: In an effort to draw attention to his Honda dealership, Knievel organized a stunt show featuring wheelies and motorcycle jumps. His first jump was over a wooden crate filled with rattlesnakes and a tethered mountain lion. Unfortunately, he fell short of the landing, shattering the crate and setting the slithering creatures free.




Thursday, June 22, 2023

Race Hauler

 Who doesn't use an Alpha Romeo touring car to hauler their Norton racer?

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

Martha Jane Hindi

Martha Hindi was a friend of my Mom's.

The Horners lived around the corner from us when I was a kid. The Horners owned the primary taxi company in Albuquerque when I was young. Scott Horner, who was a bit older than I, used to organize impromptu BMX races in our back alley. I recall them using the trunk lid from a Checker cab as a jump.

Monday, June 19, 2023

Jolly Rogers - 1945

 Jolly Rogers MC, September 16, 1945.

Gwenn Myers (down) And Seattle Cossack "Wild" Bill Jensen

Sunday, June 18, 2023

The Krystal Kinetics - Seattle, WA 1956

From American Motorcycling magazine December 1956:

Girls in Seattle, Wash., formed a new club called the "Krystal Kinetics" and is the only girls' motorcycle drill team that we've heard of. The club is only about six months old, and so far they have only ridden in parades, bur rumors are they'll make their debut next year, which could be the kickoff for a long career as a professional team.

The Krystal Kinetics, Seattle, Wash., recently formed girl motorcycle drill team.
Left to right: Doris Deeter, Margaret Drager, Rosemary Ross, Grace Hill, Georgia Olson, Corky Fredenberg, Alice Myers
(possibly the wife of Gwenn Meyers?) and Donna Walters. Members not shown are LaRae Palmer, Mickey Johnson and Nita Miller.

There are some members of Pacific Northwest motorcycle royalty in these ranks!

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