Motor Culture, Social Media, And The Search For Creations Past

Image of a 1963, Derbi 50cc 7-speed Grand Prix motorcycle. Image Credit TOURNESOL via Philippe de Lespinay on his Facebook page

Motor Culture, Social Media, And The Search For Creations Past

Funny what pursuits in motor culture one finds bounding through social media news feeds.

In this case, a submission by driver, collector, historian, builder, standards judge, and artist (more could have been added) Philippe de Lespinay about his past in Grand Prix motocycle racing and the query on a model built and presented to a onetime benefactor to his exploits.

Images of a 1963, Derbi 50cc 7-speed Grand Prix motorcycle. Image Credit: Print Magazine via Philippe de Lespinay on his Facebook page

This was written by Philippe on his Facebook page [edited]:

"52 years ago, I built [a model of] this 1963, 1/8 scale Derbi 50cc 7-speed Grand Prix motorcycle using only basic materials: soldered steel-wire frame, wooden engine and fuel tank, wheels made from plumbing fiber gaskets... those were the days!

I gifted it [the model] to the late Jacques Roca, who had been instrumental in helping me begin my racing career. Not sure if it survived in his estate ... these pictures were found in a period magazine."
[Reference]

Philippe de Lespinay made several models, but to date, it is known that only two have survived as far as Philippe knows. This one being only 3" long and in need of repairs, it is of a 250cc Aermacchi Harley-Davidson. Image Credit: Philippe de Lespinay

If anyone knows additional information on this brief news feed item, please leave a comment (and a link, if helpful) so this can be passed on to Mr. de Lespinay.

... notes from The EDJE


TAGS:  model, Derbi, 50cc, 1963, 7-speed, Grand Prix motorcycle, Jacques Roca, TOURNESOL, Philippe de Lespinay, The EDJE