The magic ton

Hearty congratulations to you, your family and your team for the wonderful, enduring achievement that is Old Bike Australasia. Your imminent milestone underlines the magazine’s great worth in bike information, historical scope, graphic excellence and sheer entertainment. As soon as I turned to “Buzz Box” in issue 99, I noticed your piece on the OBA Centenary. I thought ‘Gee that speedo looks familiar, it might be from Jim’s Velocette Sportsman. What an impressive and imaginative way to herald Issue 100’. I got out the magnifying glass. Yes, even the fine print is the same as on my 1970 Velo. Unfortunately, my bike is not as quick as yours. Then again, I don’t have any help from the superlative Mat Clancy.

Ivan Turnbull on the Royal Enfield formerly raced by John Towner. The photograph was taken at Phillip Island in January 1960.