In July 2004 the
project was offered some photos taken at Daytona 1954 that had been
lying in someone's garage for so long the owner had forgotten where
he got them from or who took them.
|
 |
|
No doubt about A7 finish after this pic - two-tone greeen,
same as the '54 roadsters. |
The quality is absolutely superb, a
great aid to restorers and we were able to resolve many issues we
had about small detail parts using these photos.
For example, in one shot we were able to enlarge these
enough to read the spark plug manufacturer from a discarded box in
the sand.
It's rare to find colour photos of any races from the early fifties
and that alone makes these interesting.
The collection has many shots of
preparations before the race, with lots of the close-ups and detail
shots that a restorer dreams of.
There are also shots of conversations
between BSA's visiting technical guru Cyril Halliburn and the works
riders. And of course the race itself including one where a single
engined plane is following the race flying just above the race
leaders
|
 |
|
A
pensive Gene Thiessen before the race |
But the collection
also includes atmospheric shots and personal moments.
These and the colour add to the
sense of history and the feeling that we have been given not just a
record of the past - but a sneek peek back into it.
|
