Classic Racer Magazine – Winter 1992 – Issue 40

Dick Mann | BSA | Geoff Duke | Gilera | Stewart Rogers | Reg Everett | Vintage Motorcycle Racing

Original Winter 1992 edition of Classic Racer Magazine, Issue Number 40, featuring historic motorcycle racing, legendary competitors, classic British and European racing machines, restoration stories and vintage motorsport photography.

This collectible British motorcycle magazine features American racing legend Dick Mann prominently on the front cover, alongside a major historical article examining how Geoff Duke persuaded Gilera to return to Grand Prix racing in 1963.

Published during the early 1990s, the magazine offers an interesting contemporary perspective on classic motorcycle racing, restoration, historic machines and the personalities who helped shape international motorcycle competition.

An appealing publication for collectors of BSA, Gilera, Harley-Davidson, MZ and classic motorcycle racing memorabilia.

Magazine Details

• Publication: Classic Racer

• Issue: Number 40

• Publication Date: Winter 1992

• On-Sale Date: 28 November 1992, as printed in the contents

• Original Cover Price: £2.50 (USA $5.00)

• Publisher: Bob Berry Publishing Services

• Country: United Kingdom

• Language: English

• Format: Printed vintage motorcycle magazine

• Condition: Pre-owned vintage condition

• SKU: 1601

Front Cover – Dick Mann and BSA Racing

The front cover features a large colour action photograph of legendary American motorcycle racer Dick Mann, riding a racing motorcycle carrying the prominent number 1.

Mann is pictured leaning dramatically into a corner, demonstrating the distinctive riding style associated with classic motorcycle competition.

He wears a red racing suit with contrasting stripes, a silver open-face helmet and traditional racing goggles.

The motorcycle features a white front racing fairing, a large black number 1, a clear windscreen and prominent period racing components.

The photograph captures the atmosphere of American motorcycle road racing during an important era in motorsport history.

The green cover background, bold red Classic Racer masthead and yellow feature panel give the magazine a distinctive early-1990s appearance.

The principal cover headline reads:

"BSA's Favourite Yank – We Talk to Dick Mann Today"

This feature makes the issue particularly interesting for collectors of Dick Mann memorabilia and BSA racing history.

The lower cover also promotes:

"How Geoff Duke Persuaded Gilera to Return in 1963"

A historical feature exploring the circumstances surrounding Gilera's return to international Grand Prix motorcycle racing.

An inset photograph shows a period motorcycle transport vehicle carrying racing machinery, providing another interesting piece of historic racing imagery.

Featured Articles & Contents

The photographed contents page identifies an extensive selection of articles.

Page 4 – Race News

News and updates from the classic motorcycle racing scene.

This section provides a period record of vintage racing activity during 1992.

Page 10 – Dick Mann

One of the magazine's principal features.

An interview with American motorcycle racing legend Dick Mann, reflecting on his racing career and his involvement with BSA.

The article discusses Mann's association with British racing motorcycles and his experiences competing at the highest levels of American motorcycle racing.

Dick Mann is particularly remembered for his achievements in American national motorcycle competition and his association with several important manufacturers.

The article is especially appealing to collectors interested in:

• Dick Mann racing memorabilia

• BSA racing motorcycles

• American motorcycle racing history

• Classic road racing

• Historic racing personalities

The prominent cover photograph makes this issue particularly desirable for enthusiasts of Mann's racing career.

Page 16 – Jim Greening

A feature focusing on Jim Greening.

The inclusion adds to the magazine's coverage of individuals associated with historic motorcycle racing.

Page 18 – Vintage Scene

A section dedicated to the vintage motorcycle racing community.

Provides an interesting snapshot of historic motorcycle events, machines and enthusiasts during the early 1990s.

Page 20 – Pre-War Continental Scene

A historical feature exploring motorcycle racing across continental Europe during the 1920s and 1930s.

The article examines the enthusiastic racing culture surrounding European Grand Prix competition before the Second World War.

It includes historical photographs and discussion of the motorcycles and circuits associated with this period.

Particularly interesting for collectors of pre-war motorcycle racing history.

Page 26 – Stewart Rogers

A feature concerning Stewart Rogers and the vintage racing club's Manx Norton.

The article discusses the unusual starting arrangements associated with the motorcycle, including the use of a pusher to get the machine underway.

An interesting inclusion for enthusiasts of Manx Norton racing motorcycles and traditional racing techniques.

Page 30 – Gilera's Return

How Geoff Duke Helped Bring Gilera Back to Grand Prix Racing in 1963

One of the magazine's major historical features.

The article examines Gilera's withdrawal from Grand Prix racing in 1957 and the circumstances surrounding its return in 1963.

It explores the role of legendary motorcycle racer Geoff Duke, who believed Gilera machinery could once again compete successfully.

The feature is particularly relevant to enthusiasts interested in:

• Geoff Duke

• Gilera Grand Prix motorcycles

• Italian motorcycle racing history

• 1950s and 1960s Grand Prix competition

• Historic motorcycle engineering

An excellent subject for readers interested in one of the most celebrated periods of international motorcycle racing.

Page 38 – Saturno Special

A feature about a surviving Gilera Saturno racing special.

The contents identify it as one of three Saturno specials built by the Gilera factory for Libero Liberati.

The article also discusses Raymond Ainscoe, who encountered the motorcycle and saw it in action in Italy.

A particularly interesting historical feature for collectors of rare Italian racing motorcycles.

Page 42 – Letters

Readers' correspondence relating to classic motorcycle racing and associated subjects.

Page 44 – Reg Everett

A feature examining the racing career of Reg Everett.

The contents describe Everett's experiences campaigning various racing motorcycles at Brands Hatch.

The article also mentions Ted Broad and an encounter involving a Yamaha TD1.

The accompanying black-and-white photograph shows a rider leaning into a corner aboard a racing motorcycle carrying the number 20.

This image provides a striking example of traditional motorcycle racing photography.

The feature is particularly interesting for enthusiasts of British short-circuit racing and classic Yamaha competition machines.

Page 48 – A Rescued MZ

A restoration feature about a 250cc Grand Prix racing motorcycle discovered in poor condition in eastern Germany.

The contents explain that the machine was found in pieces after being smuggled across the border when the Iron Curtain came down.

The motorcycle was subsequently rebuilt and presented in restored condition.

This is a fascinating subject for collectors interested in:

• MZ racing motorcycles

• East German motorcycle engineering

• Two-stroke Grand Prix machinery

• Historic racing motorcycle restoration

• Cold War-era motorsport history

Page 53 – Subscriptions

Original magazine subscription information.

Page 54 – Back Issues

Information about previously published editions of Classic Racer.

Page 55 – Now and Then

A section comparing aspects of historic and contemporary classic motorcycle racing.

Page 57 – Round the Circuits

Coverage relating to classic motorcycle racing circuits and events.

Page 62 – Aussie Harley

A feature about an unusual Australian Harley-Davidson V-twin racing motorcycle.

The contents describe the machine competing at historic events around the country.

Its muscular appearance and impressive performance make it an interesting example of modified vintage American motorcycle engineering.

Page 68 – The Flying Merkel

A feature about an early American board-track racing motorcycle.

The article concerns a 1911 Flying Merkel, described as a surviving example of this historically significant type of machine.

The contents discuss the restoration and return to running condition of the motorcycle.

An appealing feature for collectors interested in:

• Flying Merkel motorcycles

• American board-track racing

• Early twentieth-century motorcycle engineering

• Antique motorcycle restoration

• Historic American racing machines

Motorcycle Manufacturers & Racing Machines Featured

This edition includes coverage of several important motorcycle manufacturers and racing machines:

BSA: Featured prominently through the Dick Mann cover story and his association with British racing motorcycles.

Gilera: Discussed extensively through the Geoff Duke historical feature and the surviving Saturno racing special.

Norton: Represented by the Stewart Rogers feature involving a Manx Norton racing motorcycle.

MZ: Featured in an unusual restoration story involving a 250cc Grand Prix machine recovered after the fall of the Iron Curtain.

Harley-Davidson: Represented by an Australian V-twin racing motorcycle competing at historic events.

Flying Merkel: Featured through the restoration of a 1911 American board-track racing motorcycle.

Yamaha: Mentioned in connection with Reg Everett's racing experiences.

The range of machinery covered makes this issue particularly interesting to readers who appreciate both British and international motorcycle racing history.

Notable Racing Personalities

The magazine includes features or references to several significant individuals associated with motorcycle racing.

Dick Mann: American motorcycle racing champion and the magazine's principal cover personality.

Geoff Duke: Legendary British Grand Prix motorcycle racer, featured in the article examining Gilera's 1963 return.

Stewart Rogers: Featured in connection with a Manx Norton racing motorcycle.

Libero Liberati: Associated with the Gilera Saturno racing special.

Raymond Ainscoe: Featured in connection with the surviving Gilera machine.

Reg Everett: Subject of a feature about British motorcycle racing.

Jim Greening: Included among the magazine's featured racing personalities.

The combination of these names makes the magazine a useful period publication for collectors researching motorcycle racing history.

Interior Photography & Presentation

The photographed contents page features a large black-and-white action photograph of a historic motorcycle racer aboard a racing machine displaying the number 20.

The rider wears traditional racing equipment, including an open-face helmet and goggles.

The motorcycle is photographed leaning through a corner, with its front racing fairing, number plate and wheel clearly visible.

The image captures the atmosphere of classic short-circuit motorcycle racing.

The magazine uses a traditional editorial layout, with bold article headings, page references and detailed descriptions of the principal features.

Its mixture of period racing photography, historical research, technical subjects and restoration stories makes it appealing as both a collector's item and a reference publication.

Condition – Important Information

Original vintage magazine from Winter 1992.

This is a pre-owned publication and shows visible signs of age, handling and storage.

Front Cover

The front cover retains its original Dick Mann racing photograph, green background, red Classic Racer masthead and yellow feature panel.

The printed colours remain reasonably strong and the main photograph is clearly visible.

There is noticeable surface rubbing and light scuffing across the cover.

The spine-side edge shows visible wear, including rubbing and small areas of colour loss.

The lower-left corner has noticeable creasing, edge wear and a small area of paper damage.

The bottom edge shows rubbing and general handling wear.

The lower-right corner has minor bending and edge wear.

The top edge shows slight unevenness and minor wear, particularly near the corners.

Spine

The spine shows age-related rubbing and handling wear.

Some light creasing and surface wear are visible along the fold.

The magazine appears to remain together in the supplied photographs.

Interior Pages

The photographed contents page is generally clean and readable.

The black-and-white photograph, article headings and page references remain clearly visible.

There is noticeable age-related yellowing and toning to the paper.

Minor page curvature and handling wear are visible, particularly around the edges and corners.

The photographed page does not show any obvious major tears.

Overall Condition

Acceptable to good vintage pre-owned condition, with visible age-related wear.

The magazine is not new or mint.

The most noticeable imperfections are the wear along the spine-side edge, rubbing to the cover, and creasing and damage around the lower-left corner.

Please examine all supplied photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.

Only the photographed pages have been examined, so the condition of every individual page cannot be guaranteed.

Important – Original Extras Not Included

Any original free gifts, promotional items, loose supplements, inserts or other accessories that may originally have accompanied the magazine are no longer included.

This sale is for the magazine itself only.

No additional items are included unless clearly shown as part of the magazine.

Packaging & Shipping

The magazine will be carefully packaged to help protect it during transit.

UK Orders: Sent in a protective hardback envelope.

International Orders: Sent in a protective cardboard mailer-size box for additional protection during international shipping.

Collector Interest

This original Winter 1992 edition of Classic Racer is particularly suitable for collectors interested in:

• Dick Mann memorabilia

• BSA racing motorcycles

• Geoff Duke memorabilia

• Gilera Grand Prix racing history

• Manx Norton motorcycles

• Reg Everett and British racing history

• Historic MZ racing motorcycles

• Australian Harley-Davidson racing

• Flying Merkel motorcycles

• Pre-war European motorcycle racing

• Classic motorcycle restoration

• Vintage motorcycle magazines

• Historic motorcycle photography

An interesting early-1990s motorcycle racing publication featuring legendary competitors, historic racing machines, restoration stories and classic motorcycle history.

Original Classic Racer Magazine – Winter 1992 – Issue 40 – SKU 1601.