Skip to main content

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.

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.

REQUEST A TRANSPORT QUOTE

Please click the link to request a transport quote from our recommended transport company, Mailboxes Etc.

To request a shipping quote - Mailboxes Etc

Additional information

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our Motorcycles specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

Bid now on these items

1954 Moto Guzzi 250 Airone Sport
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1954 Moto Guzzi 250 Airone Sport

£2,000 - £3,000
1952 Moto Guzzi 250 Airone Sport
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1952 Moto Guzzi 250 Airone Sport

£2,000 - £3,000
c.1980 Honda 49cc 'CR110 Replica' Racing Motorcycle
United Kingdom
Coming soon

c.1980 Honda 49cc 'CR110 Replica' Racing Motorcycle

£2,000 - £3,000
1980 Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans MkII,
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1980 Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans MkII,

£2,000 - £3,000
1972 Ducati 350 Mk3
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1972 Ducati 350 Mk3

£2,000 - £5,000
1976 Moto Guzzi Le Mans MkI
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1976 Moto Guzzi Le Mans MkI

£2,000 - £3,000
1966 Honda CB450 'Black Bomber'
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1966 Honda CB450 'Black Bomber'

£2,000 - £4,000
1971 Kawasaki 500 Mach III
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1971 Kawasaki 500 Mach III

£3,000 - £5,000
1976 Honda CB750
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1976 Honda CB750

£2,400 - £4,400
1936 Austin 7 Ruby,
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1936 Austin 7 Ruby,

£3,200 - £4,000
Triumph 5T
United Kingdom
Coming soon

Triumph 5T

£3,000 - £4,000
Triumph Tiger 100
United Kingdom
Coming soon

Triumph Tiger 100

£3,000 - £4,000
1971 Honda CB750
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1971 Honda CB750

£2,400 - £4,400
Triumph 6T
United Kingdom
Coming soon

Triumph 6T

£3,000 - £4,000
1978 Ducati SD 900 Darmah
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1978 Ducati SD 900 Darmah

£2,400 - £3,400
Triumph 6T
United Kingdom
Coming soon

Triumph 6T

£3,000 - £4,000
A rare Elliott Brothers double speedometer/odometer,
United Kingdom

A rare Elliott Brothers double speedometer/odometer,

£2,000 - £3,000
A Tricycle Velocipede, 1870s, originally housed in the Estate of Osbourne House, 1870s-1901,
United Kingdom

A Tricycle Velocipede, 1870s, originally housed in the Estate of Osbourne House, 1870s-1901,

£2,000 - £3,000
A 48 inch Ordinary bicycle by Samuel Leek of Walsall, circa 1880,
United Kingdom

A 48 inch Ordinary bicycle by Samuel Leek of Walsall, circa 1880,

£2,000 - £3,000
A 48inch Ordinary bicycle, circa 1879,
United Kingdom

A 48inch Ordinary bicycle, circa 1879,

£2,000 - £2,500