Where can I obtain a photo of the great Mike Hailwood when he finished 19th in the 1957 Isle of Man 350cc TT?

Question

Mike Hailwood, popularly known as 'Mike the Bike' was one of the great motorcycle racing champions of all time. His last ride in the Isle of Man TT road race was in 1989 after he had previously returned from retirement at the age of about 48. He finished second to Alex George by about 2 seconds, with Alex on a big four-stroke twice the capacity of Mike's two-stroke bike. He was very a very popular person, well educated, and a real 'gentleman'. I would very much like a photo of him as a 17 year old when he won his first silver replica on the Isle of Man TT Mountain Course, on a 349cc Manx Norton, the start of a what was to be a brilliant career in international motor-cycle racing.

Answer 1

Brian, you got it totally wrong. Mike Hailwood's last ride at the TT was in 1979, he was 39 years old and won the Senior TT riding a Suzuki 500 cc. In 1979 he wasn't returning from retirement since in 1978 he had raced at the TT in four classes - TTF1, 250, 350, and Senior, having won the TTF1 riding a Ducatti.

Answer 2

I would say, if this man : http://www.motorbikeart.com/content/

does not have a print, then nobody does.

Rod Organ is THE man when it come to stuff like this.

Give him a try.

Answer 3

I hope this helps;

http://www.topfoto.co.uk/fotoweb/Grid.fw...

the link takes you to a site called Topfoto.co.uk who have some great photo's of Mike the bike - I'm not sure if they're the right year - if you know what number he was racing under.....either 12 , 2 or 5 BINGO!

The other alternative is the bike jumbles - most of the stall holders have an encyclopedic knowledge of their - and others stock - and will probably be able to point you right.

Answer 4

try google

Answer 5

I have a lot of motorcycling memorabilia, and will have a look through it  for you.....i too am a big fan of Mike the Bike, shame we lost him the way we did !! Good luck with your search....