Description
Tim Bolton’s book is the definitive account of Lord Alexander Hesketh’s bold venture into the motorcycle industry. Following his flamboyant success in Formula 1 with James Hunt, Lord Hesketh sought to create the “Rolls-Royce of motorcycles.”
Key Highlights:
- The Origins: The narrative traces the transition from the F1 paddock to the birth of the Hesketh V1000, a high-end luxury GT featuring a 90° V-twin engine.
- Technical Deep Dive: It explores the Weslake-designed engine architecture and the innovative frame designs that set the bike apart from its contemporary rivals.
- Triumphs and Tribulations: Bolton candidly covers the financial struggles, the early mechanical teething issues (specifically the rear cylinder cooling problems), and the brand’s evolution into the full-fairing Vampire model.
- Rich Documentation: The volume is packed with rare archival photographs, engineering sketches, and first-hand accounts from the staff who built these machines at the Easton Neston estate.
Hesketh: The Motorcycle Story is a must–read for any enthusiast of British motorcycling history, capturing the spirit of a brand that prioritized soul and craftsmanship over mass production.
Coventry Road