Our earliest colour film captures a relaxed 'On Any Sunday'-style gathering of Hamilton Motor Cycle Club members for a road hillclimb near the mining town of Huntly, New Zealand, in 1965.
A wide range of bikes take part in the event; road, motocross and even speedway machines.
But just driving up to the start area proved a challenge for young McLaren brothers Ross and Doug, plus friend Keith Howells (with a broken arm).
Ross' Jawa Supersport, like many of the road bikes being used, has the headlight and front mudguard removed to limit any damage.
Aside from the bikes, a selection of cars and trucks from the bygone era can also be seen. We've tried to caption as many as possible.
The film had physically shrunk by 14% during the 50-years it had been in storage, but some digital 'TLC' has brought the images back to a high standard. However, there is some flickering during the opening frames.
Surprisingly, for such an early film, it contains extensive live sound of the bikes in action and even some trackside commentary by Keith.
But how did he break his arm?
"Keith was quite a character," said Ross McLaren, 19 when the film was made and just starting out in motorcycle racing. "The rumour was that, at the end of a long road trial, he was too exhausted to stop for a red light and hit the side of a car!"
Featured in this film:
Ross McLaren, (250cc Jawa Supersport road bike)
Doug McLaren, (250cc Jawa Scrambler, #3)
Keith Howells
Jack Beaumont, (500cc JAP Speedway bike, 350cc Velocette)
Lance Gandy, (350cc BSA B31, fitted with Lon Higgins swingarm conversion)
John Parkes, (650cc Triumph road bike)
Bruce Odges, (350cc BSA B31 road bike - caption error 6:00)
Les Worsley, (500cc BSA JAP, #8)
Rider Unknown, (500cc JAP with Ariel frame? Registration: 17453, #8)
Rider Unknown, (350cc BSA B31 fitted with Lon Higgins swingarm conversion, #18)
Rider Unknown, (650cc BSA Lightning road bike, Registration: 19-239)
Pam McConnell, (Club Secretary)
Noel Perry, (starter)
Cars:
1952 Citroen L15 car with trailer carrying two Jawa motorcycles (Doug McLaren)
1960s Jaguar Mark II 3.4 litre car (Alan McLaren)
Austin A40 pick-up truck (Lance Gandy)
1941 Fargo 1/2ton pick-up (Noel McConnell)
1952 Ford (single-spinner) Customline Club Coupe V8 239 cid engine (Les Worsley)
Vauxhall Victor
Austin A35
Ford Consul Mark I
Film by Alan McLaren.
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15 сен 2024
