Book Review
BOOK REVIEW
EXOTIC MOTORCYCLES
by Vic Willoughby Published by Osprey Publishing Ltd. Distributed by Motorsport 6115 Gravois, St. Louis, Mo., 63116 $24.95 plus $1 postage and handling
Misleading, that’s what this title is, at least a little bit. Disappointed will be the person who picks up Exotic Motorcycles expecting to see a collection of stylists’ customs or hopped-up, gut-wrenching racers.
And the person who wants to read about the machines, rides and exploits of one of Great Britain's premier motorcycle journalists may overlook the book.
A shame.
For 28 years, 28 of the most exciting years in motorcycling, Vic Willoughby was a writer for Motor Cycle Weekly. During that time he had the privilege of riding any number of TT victors, grand prix winners, world record setters, history-makers, restorations and prototypes. The stuff of legends.
Exotic Motorcycles is a collection of impressions from that period: of motorcycles such as the NSU Flying Hammock, the Royal Enfield BulletDreamliner, Nero-the-racing-VincentV-Twin, John Surtees' title-winning MV Agusta, the V-Three DKW two-stroke,
the NSU Rennmax Twin, the 250-lb. Matchless 500cc flat-tracker, and a smattering of side-hacks, including a JAP-engined supercharged Brough.
There’s much more, all recorded in affectionate detail.
Willoughby’s accounts are as colorful as the motorcycles of which he writes. An example of his style: “Nature’s best (drag coefliciency)—a teardrop falling from a maiden's cheek (is) 0.04."
Then, there was the time Willoughby was talking to one of the designers of the NSU Flying Hammock, winner of world speed records. After the bike set a 50cc record of 80 mph with a 3.4-bhp modified moped engine, he suggested the designer drop in a 110-bhp supercharged 500 Twin. As Willoughby recalled, “(He) was aghast at the thought and his slide rule seemed to tremble." When the slide rule finally came to rest, the designer told Willoughby the combination could top 400 mph.
Tales of fledgling legends. An intriguing, fun book. —Wade Roberts
