LOT 191
Phil Read - a signed 1971 season Bell Toptex racing helmet
Sold for £3,328 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 191
Phil Read - a signed 1971 season Bell Toptex racing helmet
Phil Read - a signed 1971 season Bell Toptex racing helmet
in black and white with 'ACU approved' sticker', later applied Meriden Triumph and Isle of Man coat or arms stickers, clear but tarnished visor, race worn with evidence of crash damage and loss to the interior.
Purchased by the vendor from Mr Gordan Church. Mr Church won the helmet in an MCN competition at one of the 1970s Motor Cycle Shows, where the helmet was on display on the MCN stand. Phil added his signature to the hat at an IMI event in 2005. Offered with a letter from Mr Church and a copy of the IMI ticket.
Yamaha factory team's withdrawal from racing at the end of 1968, which left Phil Read without a ride, he sat out most of the 1969 and 1970 seasons before returning to Grands Prix in 1971 as a privateer, concentrating on the '250' class. His mount would be a production Yamaha TD2, developed under the direction of Dutch engineer, Ferry Brouwer, which featured an Eric Cheney frame; Brouwer-tuned engine; Helmut Fath dry clutch; and a Rod Quaife six-speed gearbox. Two similar machines were constructed over the winter of 1970/1971.
With wins at the first three Grands Prix of the season, Phil went on to claim his fifth World Championship, beating reigning champion Rod Gould and his works supported Yamaha into 2nd place. Phil also won the Isle of Man Lightweight 250 TT that year at an average speed of 98.02mph, lapping at over 100mph. Phil continued to race the Brouwer machines during the 1972 World Championship season, winning the French Grand Prix and the Isle of Man TT on his way to 4th overall at the year's end.
There is clear accident damage to the side of the helmet and this is visible in images of Read riding the TD2 in the 1971 season.
Purchased by the vendor from Mr Gordan Church. Mr Church won the helmet in an MCN competition at one of the 1970s Motor Cycle Shows, where the helmet was on display on the MCN stand. Phil added his signature to the hat at an IMI event in 2005. Offered with a letter from Mr Church and a copy of the IMI ticket.
Yamaha factory team's withdrawal from racing at the end of 1968, which left Phil Read without a ride, he sat out most of the 1969 and 1970 seasons before returning to Grands Prix in 1971 as a privateer, concentrating on the '250' class. His mount would be a production Yamaha TD2, developed under the direction of Dutch engineer, Ferry Brouwer, which featured an Eric Cheney frame; Brouwer-tuned engine; Helmut Fath dry clutch; and a Rod Quaife six-speed gearbox. Two similar machines were constructed over the winter of 1970/1971.
With wins at the first three Grands Prix of the season, Phil went on to claim his fifth World Championship, beating reigning champion Rod Gould and his works supported Yamaha into 2nd place. Phil also won the Isle of Man Lightweight 250 TT that year at an average speed of 98.02mph, lapping at over 100mph. Phil continued to race the Brouwer machines during the 1972 World Championship season, winning the French Grand Prix and the Isle of Man TT on his way to 4th overall at the year's end.
There is clear accident damage to the side of the helmet and this is visible in images of Read riding the TD2 in the 1971 season.
Footnotes
All lots are sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.
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