Chris Conn’s old Manx

I was so sorry to read the sad news of the passing of Chris Conn, as reported in the September 2021 issue. Chris was one of those simply very nice people, and of course a great racer, while still being a modest man.

I knew Chris in the early 1960s, when he was serving in the RAF. He used to visit Geoff Monty and Alan Dudley Ward’s motorcycle shop in Twickenham, where my brother was the manager. We would often have a cuppa in the cafe next door.

One day he wanted to know the way to Dudley Ward’s workshop in Kingston, so I offered to take him in his BMW car. I think Chris wanted to ask Alan to work on his Manxes. Chris will be sadly missed. RIP.

I enclose a photograph of myself and a Manx Norton, with interesting paperwork. I bought this Manx in the 1980s, not knowing any of its history. The Science Museum in Kensington was most helpful and, to my surprise, it turned out to be Chris Conn’s successful 350. It is one of the last Manx Nortons made and purchased new, from the AMC factory in Woolwich – where it was built there from parts brought down from Birmingham – by Chris in 1962. On this Manx, Chris won the 1964 Malaysian GP and in 1966 finished third in the Isle of Man Junior TT.

I am pleased to report that it’s still used, when it can be, especially at RAF Odiham on their open riders’ day where it causes a lot of interest, though of course the pandemic has curtailed a lot of all our activities of late. Unfortunately, my 90 years doesn’t allow me a ride, but a good friend of mine does the honours, and to hear a Manx on full song, with an open mega, is great.

Bert Spink, Twickenham, Surrey.