Muriel Hind and the Blue Devil

The Stafford show is always a place that attracts the most wonderful (and sometimes weird) machines in the world, and this April sees one such example on display having not been to the UK mainland for more than 50 years...

Born in May 1880 (some reports say 1882) in Dorset, Muriel Hind was orphaned young, then raised by close relatives including Uncle Edward, one of England’s prominent early pioneer motorcyclists.

Initially, Muriel was a keen cyclist, before discovering motorcycling and acquiring a 2hp Singer Motorwheel, a 198cc engine-in-an-alloy-wheel that mounted in place of the rear wheel in a sturdy bicycle frame. Muriel’s was in a dropped frame ladies-type cycle; Miss Hind was always keen to look ‘appropriate’ and always dressed the same; hat held in place with a veil, ankle length coat over equally lengthy skirts and button up boots.

The initial Singer gave way to a 2½hp model, then a 3hp job, and by 1905 she was a member of the MCC (Motor Cycling Club) and competed in events, by now in a Singer Tricar, including the London-Edinburgh Trial and the Land’s End to John O’Groats Trial.

Muriel – now domiciled in London – was becoming well-known on the scene and in 1907 had sufficient influence for AW Wall of Roc to build her a special V-twin machine, with her desired dropped (ladies type) frame. Next, there was a relationship with the Rex company of Coventry, this time as test rider, demonstrator and works rider. She had various Rex V-twins before the machine which we are able to welcome to the show – The Blue Devil. By now, she also had a column in Motor Cycling.

Built in 1910, the Blue Devil was the fastest machine Muriel had ever ridden and was described as being ‘the devil’s own job’ to start. So a blue devil was painted on its petrol tank. Muriel had a special affection for the bespoke motorcycle but her competition career was drawing to a close. In 1912, she married Richard Lord of the Rex motor company. The Blue Devil was robbed of its engine to power a giant lawn mower to cut the grass at their Wall Hill Hall, Coventry, home.

In the 1950s, it was acquired by Murray’s Motor Cycle Museum in the Isle of Man, where it has remained ever since. Now due for sympathetic recommissioning, it’s hoped the Blue Devil will ride again, in the Sunbeam MCC’s 2018 Pioneer Run. We can’t wait to see it on our main stand at the centre of the Stafford Main Hall.