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The 1937 Comerford speedway bike, built entirely in Tottenham, was lovingly restored by local resident Bill Rust, a long-term volunteer at the Bruce Castle Museum in Church Lane, Tottenham.
Mr Rust donated the historic machine to celebrate the centenary of the museum in 2006. It was unveiled at a ceremony last Friday, February 25, attended by descendents of Victor Martin, whose firm Victor Martin & Co Ltd built the bike in Elmhurst Avenue, Tottenham.
Its engine was built by J A Prestwich Motors, based in nearby Northumberland Park, and the bike would have cost £87 new at the time.
It also has winning pedigree, as another Comerford bike was ridden to victory in the 1937 World Speedway Championships by American rider Jack Milne.
Tottenham MP David Lammy was at the unveiling alongside Cyril Winsor, who worked at the JAP plant, and Patrick Stead, who sponsored the display.
He said: “Bill Rust’s generous donation of the bike deserved the centre stage. As a Haringey resident I am proud to have contributed to this celebration of our local history.”
Mr Lammy said: “Bruce Castle Museum once again demonstrates very well its core purpose, displaying and interpreting our local history objects for us all. This magnificent speedway bike transcends language barriers and imparts a tradition of design and manufacturing ingenuity right here in the heart of Tottenham.”
