The final word on ‘that photo’!

I write to say that the photo of Surtees, Duke and Doran (OBM429) appears in Roy Bacon’s Norton Twin Restoration. Note the name on the tailgate of the truck. The tasty lady is Geoff’s wife, Pat, and the picture was taken on Douglas quayside in 1955.

In 1965, for racing homologation, Triumph made 53 Thruxton Bonnies originally named after the famous 500-miler. One was unreleased for the special barrel was stolen. This has a metal pipe from the oil pressure indication to a drilling in the barrel. This is for extra oil to cool and lube the exhaust cam and followers. Two of these historic bikes were allocated to FH Brackpool Motorcycles, 226 Stanstead Road, London SE23 and, remarkably, both still exist. Pete Jolly had success racing his machine and, about 30 years ago, advertised it for £32,000. He wore leathers made in Pacific Blue and Silver colours.

Fred Williams, Bromham, Bedford