Vintage Morris – Volume 2

Tall Tales but True from a lifetime in motorcycling

ISBN: 978-0-6482904-7-6 Australian price: $25 plus $14 postage. 186 pages soft cover. Available from author; PO Box 392 Winston Hills NSW 2153 Email: Lm2@tpg.com.au Phone: 0410 524 882 Back in OBA 66 we reviewed the original volume of this work, featuring Lester Morris’ lifetime (so far) in the motorcycle trade and media. Talk to Lester and many of us are immediately transported to Mount Panorama in the good ‘ole days, when his dulcet tones flowed like fine wine from the loudspeakers around the track. He knew his stuff, did Lester, and he presented the running commentary with the aplomb of the seasoned stage actor, which he was and probably still is.

Volume 2 of his memoirs is another enthralling read as he recounts exploits from 1969 to the present day in his inimitable style. It’s not so much a chronicle or a logical sequence through history, rather a series of anecdotes, all related with Lester’s characteristic whimsy. It’s just like being there. When I reviewed Volume 1 I was transported back to his days behind the counter at W.F. Omodei at 471-475 Pitt Street Sydney, opposite Central Station. You could always hear Lester before you saw him (not surprising, because at just 5’3” (or 160cm) in height he barely rose above that counter. He was a good salesman though; hardly anyone left the shop empty handed.

This volume has a few more photos than the original, including a terrific shot of the future Queen Elizabeth, then just Princess Elizabeth, confidently putting a WD motorcycle through its paces as part of her military training during WW2. But Lester is from the school of “A picture is worth a thousand words – my foot!”, and firmly believes that well written text is superior in every way. It’s hard to disagree. This is a book with which to settle back on a wet weekend (or perhaps during Lockdown), and chuckle your way through the highlights of a remarkable life.